Family stepping up for Fahey

Racing has always been about family for veteran Tasmanian greyhound trainer Gary Fahey, and never more so then right now.

Due to recent ill health Gary has been unable to do the “heavy lifting” at his Mangalore training base, but he has been able to lean on two able hands – his wife Beverley and daughter Carol Martin.

“My daughter is very good with greyhounds and Beverley has helped me all the way through,” he said.

The Fahey name is synonymous with greyhound racing, with both Gary and his brother

Greg members of the Tasmanian Greyhound Racing Hall of Fame. The pair have rarely been without a high-class performer for the best part of 60 years, and nothing has changed in that regard with Raider’s Guide the latest star to emerge.

Gary said breeding dogs from quality female lines was the cornerstone of success in the industry. Raider’s Guide – who has won his past four races and broke the 599m track record in Hobart two starts back – is a case in point.

His mother Sacred Shadow won 13 races, while his grand dam is the incredible brood bitch Dennes Point, whose progeny collectively won a total of more than 200 races.

“We have another litter on the ground by Sacred Shadow at the moment – four beautiful pups,” Gary said.

“Her sister Just Browsing is due in four or five weeks.

“A lot of people are interested in buying them.”

Raider’s Guide will renew his rivalry with Fast Minardi in the Mixed 4/5 Final (599m) in Hobart on Thursday night.

Raider’s Guide has been winning the debate among greyhound racing fans as to who is better in recent weeks, beating home Fast Minardi by a couple of lengths at their last two meetings.

But Gary believes his charge could be vulnerable this week from box six, with Fast Minardi in the red jacket.

Raider’s Guide will also have to contend with his sister Disco Dance, who has won nine of her 22 starts for Penguin trainer Butch Deverell and owner Karlene Cuthbertson.

“We always give the buyers first pick of the litter, and we sold Disco Dancer to Karlene,” Gary said.

“She is going terrific.”

But whatever the result is this week, Gary believes that there should be plenty more wins in store for Raider’s Guide. “He’s one of the most talented dogs I’ve ever had,” he said. “Ultimately this dog will get more distance, and middledistance racing will be up his alley.”

The Fahey kennel has suffered a double blow ahead of tonight’s Devonport Country Derby (461m) in Hobart.

Gary has been forced to withdraw Supreme Leader from the race with a minor injury, leaving Fawn Shadow to fly the flag from box four.

“Unfortunately the reserve who will take Supreme Leader’s place in box five [Hey Thunder] is a very good beginner,” Gary said.

“But Fawn Shadow has the ability to win if he does get a good run.”

APPRENTICE Taylor Johnstone made a winning return to the saddle at Sunday’s thoroughbred meeting in Hobart.

Johnstone, who scored a soft win on the Scott Bruntontrained Ole Ola in the Benchmark 60 (1430m), was off the scene for four months with a broken collarbone.

Despite her enforced absence following a trackwork mishap at Brighton, the promising young rider has her sights set on winning the state apprentice jockeys’ premiership.

Johnstone has 22 winners for the season, seven behind Chelsea Baker, who also picked up a winner on Sunday.