Volstead filly is a star

Unbeaten filly Keayang Zahara (Volstead) wowed racegoers with a stunning harness racing win in the Group 1 $100,000 Vicbred Super Series (3YO Trotting Fillies) Final at Melton. 

Keayang Zahara went head to head with another unbeaten Volstead filly Violet Stanford in what was billed as the highlight of the night. 

And the Margaret Lee trained Keayang Zahara didn’t let her fast growing legion of supporters down. 

Jason Lee made a mid-race move on Keayang Zahara to sit parked outside Violet Stanford with a lap to travel. 

Keayang Zahara momentarily dropped in for a trial before Lee pulled out on straightening and Keayang Zahara clicked into another gear bounding away from Violet Stanford to score by 13 metres in a mile rate of 1:56.8. 

HOW ABOUT THAT!

Keayang Zahara (Jason Lee/Margaret Lee) flys over the top to take out the Group 1 Classic Connection Vicbred Super Series for three-year-old trotting fillies. pic.twitter.com/PgIR4iqLKe

— The Trots (@TheTrotsComAu) September 14, 2024

Racecaller Dan Mielicki was moved to say ‘she is the best three-year-old trotting filly I’ve ever seen- and that’s a big statement’. 

Lee, who gave a victory salute on the line, was delighted with the performance. 

“This filly is very very special to us,” Lee said. 

“At least is was good for the race even though I probably wasn’t enjoying it in the run but Nathan (Jack) made a real race of it with the two unbeaten fillies and it was good that she lived up to how good we think she is,” he said. 

Lee admitted he had to make his move despite the genuine tempo set by  Jack on the leader. 

“I knew we were running as soon as I hooked out and that was how we found it with Nathan who drove a great race- he did everything he could to beat us,” he said. 

Lee said Keayang Zahara handled the false start with aplomb. 

“I’ve got a lot more confidence now with her manners, she’s come a long way from as a yearling with a bit of a mind of her own,” he said. 

Lee said there are a plethora of future racing options for the filly including a possible trip across the Tasman. 

“There has been talk of going to New Zealand with her but I’ll leave that up to Mum and the uncles or just staying home and picking up the good fillies’ races and perhaps the Derby,” he said. 

The win was Keayang Zahara’s third Group 1 success from only six career starts and she has pocketed more than $150,000 in prize money. 

For complete race results, click here.

by John Dunne, for Harnesslink