Zahara locked in for NZ’s newest slot race

Three-year-old trotting sensation Keayang Zahara (Volstead) is heading to New Zealand to compete in the new $500,000 slot race, The Ascent, at Addington Raceway on Friday, November 15.

Keayang Zahara is bred and raced by the Ecklin South-based Lee family, with Margaret training the star harness racing filly and son Jason her regular driver.

“It’s really exciting and a rare opportunity to have a horse that you can travel with in Australia, let alone overseas. We are looking forward to it for all involved,” Margaret Lee said.

“It’s nice to have a horse that’s good enough to hopefully go over and be competitive.”

The unbeaten three-time Group 1-winning filly caught the eye of Ken Breckon (Breckon Farms) and Richard Cole (Managing Director of IRT), and will make her way to New Zealand later this month to represent the high-profile slot holder pairing.

“It’s great to team up with Ken Breckon and Richard Cole, they are great people who are big supporters of the industry. It’s very exciting to be in partnership with them,” Lee said.

The eye-catching squareqaiter has now had seven starts for seven victories, including dominant results in the NSW Trotters Oaks, NSW Trotters Derby and the Vicbred Super Series Final (3yo Trotting Fillies).

She will step out in the Need For Speed Princess Final at Melton this Saturday night and the Victorian Trotters Oaks on Saturday, October 12 before jetting to New Zealand for the half-a-million-dollar event.

“If all things go to plan, she will stay in New Zealand for the Trotters Oaks two weeks after,” Lee said.

The only other horse currently confirmed for The Ascent – a contest for three-year-old trotters – is New Zealand-based Empire City, who is racing for her owners/breeders/slot holders Peter and Janet Argus.

by Bronte Nieuwenburg, for Harness Racing Victoria