Near Record Tassie Winner A Star In The Making

AT only start two, Raider's Guide all-but broke the clock and turned heads in securing the second of four heats of the Johnson Puppy Championship at Hobart on Tuesday.

The March 2021 black dog was luckless at his debut on Thursday at Hobart when second to Crikey Danger in 26.18 yet, in a contest boasting genuine depth, he atoned with a stunning 6 ½ lengths win in 25.60 … yes 25.60.

His winning time is fifth fastest since the Hobart's relocation from the old Royal Showgrounds site and only .16 shy of the track record set by Stanley Gordon in October 2019.

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The ‘new' Hobart track at Elwick racecourse has been operating since 2006 and some of the best dogs in the country have been tested at the 461m.

For perspective, Tommy Shelby won the 2020 Hobart Thousand in 25.55 while Hooked On Scotch won the country's oldest feature race 12 months earlier 25.49.

Bred by Greg and Gary Fahey, Raider's Guide (Zambora Brockie – Sacred Shadow) now heads to Hobart on Tuesday for the series decider and, quite bizarrely, has drawn box four for the third time in as many starts.

"He broke in to be a very good dog," Greg Fahey said.

"Our past eight litters have been broken in by Ken Murphy in country Victoria and only one other dog has gone anywhere near what Raider's Guide ran.

"We've been lucky to have a bitch like Denne's Point which has been a champion producer and she's the dam of just about all of good dogs we've had in the past 10 years.

"There has been no dog at home in the last decade which has not been her pup or one of her daughter's.

"She's nearing 14 years of age and is just loving life."

From breaking in to running 25.60 at Hobart is by no means a straight forward process but Raider's Guide and his litter brother Fawn Shadow appear certain for higher honors.

"This race on Tuesday is by no means easy … Tasmanian St Leger winner Hit The Switch might even start favourite and Harden Up Johnny beat Hit The Switch in a heat," Fahey added.

"Raider's Guide dived left in his first start and lost momentum but learned from that quickly … he tracked the leader to the first turn on Tuesday.

"Clearly he's going to be best suited by an inside box but his strength at he finish is his greatest asset."

In his 25.60 win, the run-in was posted at a stunning 14.49 and Raider's Guide was one length behind leader Rojo Henry at the sectional mark.

For perspective, the final heat won by Harden Up Jonny in 26.01 in all-the-way fashion with a late section of 14.97 or eight lengths slower than Raider's Guide.

Harden Up Johnny boasts six wins from 10 starts and is a real talent – just what level Raider's Guide gets to in the next six months is the big question.

He's a serious dog and the world is his oyster.