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I interpret the "dainty" line to mean the Hobbit, himself, not the Ring. Saruman, a former confidant of Gandalf and the White Council with some insight into their mindset and methods, might have some inkling that a Hobbit of the Fellowship would bear the Ring and thus have some hope of capturing the Ring-bearer with his raiding party. Sauron, on the other hand, knowing that the Ring had almost certainly reached Rivendell, would be likely to presume that someone there -- Gandalf or Elrond, probably -- had taken possession of it. Still, there's nothing like a long, slow "discussion" with a Hobbit who might have inside info, perhaps followed by nice dinner with your special guest (simmered in butter and seasoned, mayhap).
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