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STAR Taswegian Raider’s Guide is staring down a major slice of history in Saturday night’s Group 1 Hume Cup (600m) at The Meadows.

Victory in the middle distance showpiece would elevate Raider’s Guide into rarefied air, becoming the first Tasmanian greyhound to have won three group 1 titles.

Former Tasmanian stars Buckle Up Wes and Chinatown Lad retired with dual group 1 victories, a feat already reached by Raider’s Guide following wins in the Rookie Rebel and National Distance Championship this year.

Trained by Hall of Fame Tasmanian mentor Gary Fahey, Raider’s Guide roared into the Hume Cup decider – a race he finished runner-up in last year behind Hector Fawley – with a slick 34.19 heat success on Monday night.

That stirring performance was enough for Sportsbet to install the 35-time winning son of Zambora Brockie as the $2.90 favourite from his box three draw in his bid for a history setting group 1 triumph on Saturday night.

“It was a very impressive performance,” Fahey stated.

“His whole preparation has been about having him in the perfect spot for this race and the heat run should tighten him up that little bit further.

“I don’t mind box three in the final. His record out of it is very good.”

In five starts at The Meadows 600 metre journey, Raider’s Guide has been near faultless, winning on three occasions with a further two seconds.

Remarkably, in a career spanning 66 starts, Raider’s Guide has only missed a place on five occasions, boasting stake earnings upwards of $400,000.

A stalwart of Tasmanian greyhound racing for decades, Fahey isn’t taking the opportunity to create history on Saturday night lightly.

Raider’s Guide is chasing a third group 1 victory on Saturday night

“To have bred and raced a dog of Raider’s Guide’s ability – especially this late in my life – is something you don’t take for granted,” he said.

“If he could win a third group 1 it would be very special.

“And special for Tasmanian greyhound racing as well on such a big night.”

*Original Article provided by The Greyhound Recorder’s Adam Dobbin*