TALENTED greyhound stayer Sitka realised a plan set by wily trainer Mick Louth about nine months ago when she won her way into next week’s National Distance Championship in South Australia.
Sitka showed blistering early speed from box six to lead and had enough in reserve to hold out a late and determined challenge from race favourite Posh Di.
She was second to Posh Di in her heat but her trainer explained the bitch was probably not at the top of her game that night.
“I was a bit worried last week because her weight was up and she was off colour on the day of the heat but she got through it,” Louth said.
“She recovered well and tonight she delivered what I expected.”
“I had her earmarked for this race last year but I couldn’t get enough lead-up races into her so I opted not to proceed,” he said.
Louth sent Sitka to Western Australia during the summer and while there he set his sights on returning to Tasmania to prepare her for a tilt at the National Distance series.
“I took her to Perth as a travelling companion for my sprinter Koocanusa but she ended up winning two feature races and holds almost every split record a Cannington and one at Mandurah,” he said.
“Her box manners are impeccable and that’s going to hold her in god stead in the National final,” he said.
Louth confirmed Sitka would be sent to South Australian trainer Bosco Stamekovic to prepare her for a week leading up to the final.
My wife is in Canada to be with her sick mother so I’m at home alone to take care of the dogs so I’ll send Sitka to Bosco to give her a run on the track (AnglePark) before I go over next week,” he said.
Liten to what trainer Mick Louth had to say about Sitka’s state final win – click here .