Star filly has her first hit out at Addington

All the signs are great with glamour Aussie harness racing trotting filly Keayang Zahara (Volstead) ahead of her first NZ run next week.

Driver Jason Lee was all smiles after taking the three-year-old for her first spin around Addington on Saturday morning, ahead of Friday’s inaugural $500,000 Majestic Horse Floats LP THE ASCENT.

Keayang Zahara is unbeaten in 11 starts, five of them at Group 1 level.

“It’s another box we’ve ticked-off on a trip where everything has gone to plan, maybe even a bit better than Paddy (Lee, co-trainer) could’ve hoped,” Lee said.

“We didn’t ask her to do too much, but it’s a different sort of track and good for her, and I, to have a look around it.

“She worked with Arcee Phoenix and one of Nathan Purdon’s young trotters and did it well.

“She’s really mated-up with Arcee Phoenix and no doubt that’s helped her handle the trip so well.”

Keayang Zahara arrived in Christchurch last Wednesday and is stabled at Nathan Purdon’s barn.

“Paddy (Lee) has been with her the whole time and he’s been so happy with her. She lost a bit of weight, as you’d expect with two flights to get here, but she’s settled in and is eating up really well. Paddy says eating even better here that at home,

“After the workout, I’d have to say there’s no reason she’s not at least as good as she’s been all campaign.”

Incredibly, Keayang Zahara only had her first start at Maryborough on April 3.

Keayang Zahara hasn’t raced since winning the Group 1 Victoria Trotters’ Derby at Maryborough on October 27.

If she runs as hoped in The Ascent, Keayang Zahara will stay in Christchurch for the NZ Trotters’ Oaks and Derby.

by Adam Hamilton, for Harness Racing New Zealand