RAIDER TOO GOOD IN SHANE YATES MEMORIAL
Accomplished chaser Raider’s Guide ($1.75 fav) showed his strength when he out classed an expectational locally-bred field to win the $18,260 Shane Yates Memorial Tasbred Cup Final (515m) in Launceston on Monday night.
Hall of Fame trainer Gary Fahey prepares the son of Zambora Brockie and Sacred Shadow, who registered an almost four-length winning performance over Wynburn Honey ($11) and Disco Dance ($4.40), claiming the $11,970 first prize.
The black chaser settled midfield passing the post in the early stages, before making his move down the back, racing out after the early leaders Roxy Rocker and Hey Thunder.
Raider’s Guide skipped to the front turning for home, going on to register his 11th win for owners Greg and Gary Fahey, by holding the fast-finishing Wynburn Honey at bay in clocking a flying 29.35 seconds.
Part owner and Hall of Fame participant Greg Fahey, spoke openly about his fond memories for Shane Yates, saying victory in the Tasbred classic was an emotional honour to remember such a great mate.
“To win a feature race name in honour of someone like Shane Yates is pretty significant,” Greg Fahey stated.
“Winning a race like the Illingworth Classic after Des Illingworth meant a lot to me personally, I worked a lot closely with Shane over the years, we became very close friends over a long period of time which is special.
“Shane was such a passionate person and a hard worker; he was a very popular bloke within our industry.”
Greg said Raider’s Guide potential in becoming a top-class greyhound had been there right from the start.
“Raider’s Guide came back from the breakers with exceptional reports, he always showed his talents right from his race start through to now, he has raced in the biggest races from an early age.”
In his first nine starts, Raider’s Guide competed in both the Group 1 Hobart Thousand and Group 3 Ladbrokes Chase, he was beaten narrowly in the two consolation races, showing his raw potential against the top dogs.
“He has also broken the 599-metre track record in Hobart twice; it proves just how strong the dog actually is.”
Qualifying three runners into the Shane Yates Memorial Tasbred Cup was a huge credit for Gary Fahey and his Mangalore-based kennels thanks to the assistance of his wife Beverley and daughter Carol Martin.
“It’s well-known Gary hasn’t been okay with certain health issues, Bev and Carol have stepped right into the forefront of keeping the dogs and kennels running smoothly – that’s such a big team effort,” Greg proudly said.
“We’ve had numerous runners in finals over the years, and to have three, especially all descendants of our late foundation producer Dennes Point, is very special to us; thankfully we’ve been able to continue the bloodline.”
Connections will now be making the decision whether to target Raider’s Guide towards the upcoming Ladbrokes Tasmanian Sprint Championship, with heats set to be decided in Launceston next Thursday night.