Tassie Record Awaits Raider's Guide In 715

EVEN Raider's Guide's staunchest supporters had reservations about his audacious The Ladbrokes 715 bid.

Having faced the starter just four times in 2025, the two-time group 1 winner went into the world's richest staying event grossly underdone, with connections more hopeful than confident about his prospects.

"Considering the limited preparation he had, there were doubts over his fitness – to win like he did was huge," veteran Tasmanian trainer Gary Fahey said.

"I think the run perfectly sums up just what an extraordinary dog he is.

FIELDS AND FORM THE GARDENS FRIDAY NIGHT

"He's just such a determined chaser. Doesn't know how to give up."

On Friday night at The Gardens in Newcastle, Raider's Guide will line-up from box five in The Ladbrokes 715, a year on from finishing fourth to Valpolicella in the 2024 decider.

And if successful in the $250,000-to-the-winner showpiece, the 38-time winner will become Tasmania's greatest ever stakes earner reaching $681,000, comfortably surpassing the $551,500 amassed by Buckle Up Wes during his glittering career.

"He is a dog you only dream of getting in life," Fahey added.

"And to have bred, reared and raced him ourselves just makes it that more special.

"To have the zest for racing he still has, having travelled the country and contested all the big races, makes us all really proud."

Raider's Guide roared into The 715 calculations with an all-the-way 41.78 heat win over the heavily backed Max Capacity, scoring by 3 ¾ lengths.

The time was just 2 ½ lengths off the 41.60 time Late Night News ran to set the benchmark for the final.

“I was concerned in the heat run that Max Capacity might catch him but the dog simply refuses to give up," Fahey added. 

"And to see him pull away at the finish, I couldn't have been happier and that gives us confidence heading into the final. 

“He's recovered great since the heat and travelled home well. We gave him a run on the straight track at Brighton on Monday to finish things off, we haven't changed anything.

“He'll travel back over with (daughter) Carol on Thursday and stick to the same routine. If anything he thrives with the travelling."

Raider's Guide has been installed a $3.90 third favourite for The 715 behind Late Night News (box 7) at $2.45 and Max Capacity at $3.50 (box 4).

Fahey says the first few strides will be pivotal to his dog's chances.

"He needs to come out," Fahey said.

“We can't afford to miss the start like we did last year.

"On times and sections he needs to be out in front and at his best he can lead. If he does then he'll give himself a chance and should strip fitter for last week's run."

Raider's Guide is no stranger to feature race staying success, winning the Group 1 National Distance Championship at Angle Park last August.

The son of Zambora Brockie's other group 1 title came in the 2024 Group 1 Rookie Rebel (600m) at The Meadows before finishing second in the race this year.

Having recently turned four, he takes an abundance of group race experience into the rich finale.