In Brief
- Raider's Guide wins the 2025 Viv Berresford Memorial.
- Connections proud to see the great dog back in form.
- Nomination to be entered for the Group 1 Rookie Rebel,
2024 Tasmanian Greyhound of the Year Raider’s Guide will seek to obtain a berth in the Group 1 Rookie Rebel (600m) at The Meadows following his victory in the Fast Minardi Viv Berresford Memorial in Launceston on Monday night.
The son of Zambora Brockie commenced his campaign to defend his Group 1 Rookie Rebel crown by delivering an impressive performance in the 600-metre feature, leading all the way to score for Mangalore trainer Gary Fahey.
With a 36th victory, Raider’s Guide defeated Beast Royale and Vintage King by 8-3/4 lengths coming from box 2, going on to register a 34.39-second victory, which was outside his personal best performance of 34.12 seconds.
Race sponsor Ross Freeman, Janet Berresford and handler Carol Martin with Raider’s Guide at the 2025 Viv Berresford Memorial presentation.
Gary Fahey and his daughter Carol Martin have worked to get Raider’s Guide back in business. His form had slightly declined, and a minor setback had prevented the dual Group 1 winner from performing at his best.
“There has been some pressure to bring him back to 600m races,” handler Carol Martin said after the win.
“We’ve had a few hits and misses over the last few weeks, and there have been a few people behind the scenes that have helped us to get Raider’s Guide back racing – this run gives us an indication that he is coming back to his best.”
Connections will enter a nomination for the Rookie Rebel before acceptances close on Monday, 17 February, with the panel deciding the final field set to be announced on Tuesday, 18 February, via the MGRA Facebook page.
“This run would determine whether we would put forward a nomination for the Rookie Rebel, and any indication from this performance would likely lead us down that path to see if we make the field,” Carol Martin stated.
The night was a tremendous achievement for the Fahey family, with their leading breeding female, Sacred Shadow, producing not only Raider’s Guide but also his half-sister, Red Stiletto, who won the Ladbrokes Launceston Cup.
It marked the fourth group winner bred from Sacred Shadow; furthering the legacy of the Dennes Point dynasty.
Watch Raider’s Guide (box 2) take out the Viv Berresford Memorial on Monday night.