‘Enormous': Raider's Guide Set For Nationals Tilt

"ENORMOUS" is how owner-trainer Gary Fahey described Raider's Guide's first look at Angle Park on Wednesday as the Group 1 star prepares for Saturday week's Group 1 National Distance Championship.

Tassie-based Gary, who has been in ill health in recent times, sent his daughter Carol Martin to Angle Park with Raider's Guide for a 595m trial.

He ran 33.86 which is outside the track record held by Stout Monelli at 33.68.

"He went splits of 8.53, 17.78, 21.05 with a run home of 12.81," said Gary.

Raider's Guide (Zambora Brockie-Sacred Shadow) goes into the National Distance final off a career of 61 starts for an incredible 33 wins and 16 placings and earnings of $301,000.

He has already won the G1 Rookie Rebel and run track records twice at Launceston, as well as being second in the G1 Hume Cup and a finalist in the G12 National Sprint, The 715, G2 Launceston Cup etc.

"He's easily the best dog I've bred," said Gary. "Right from an early age he was exceptional."

Gary was not surprised by the near record trial.

"His first look at The Gardens he broke the track record and his first look at Sandown he went 34.10 on a track that has just been harrowed," he said.

Raider's Guide was sent back to Tassie this morning and had settled into his kennel at home by lunchtime.

"We will work him at home for the next nine days and Carol and my wife Beverly will take him to Adelaide for the final," said Gary.

"They will head over the day before the race. Travelling never worries this dog."

The Faheys also have Raider's Guide's younger half sister, Sweet Sundown (by Whiskey Riot) in the G1 National Sprint and she is prepared by Pat Ryan.

Gary has one doubt about his dog going into the 730 metre final.

"He is not really a genuine stayer," he said.

"The 600 metres is his best distance. That's why we will probably switch him back to the shorter races after this final.

"Races like the Hume Cup, the Rookie Rebel and particularly the Sale Cup are all coming up for him.

"The Sale Cup is a prime target because this dog goes so great on one-turn tracks."

Gary is wary of his rivals on Saturday week.

"It seems every best stayer in the land has won through to the National final," he said.

"And what about the local bitch (Zinfandel Trace). She's had 10 starts for seven wins and the South Australian qualifying was her first start over 730 metres.

"And, she won by almost 15 lengths."

Gary admits he'd like box two in the final.

"He's had box two 12 times in his career and won nine."