Keayang Zahara sparkles in Bill Collins Sprint

Keayang Zahara (Volstead) showed why she is the best trotting mare in Australia when she gave a dazzling harness racing display to lead all the way in the $60,000 Group 1 Aldebaran Park Bill Collins Sprint at Melton on Saturday evening.

The easy big striding mare was taken straight to the front by Jason Lee with her much improved stablemate Jilliby Ballerina taking the trail. Rakero Rebel was left racing outside the leader. Keayang Zahara started to open up in the back straight on the last occasion but Jilly Ballerina continued to follow.

At the top of the straight Jilliby Ballerina tried to close the gap but try as she could, Keayang Zahara who was just shaken up moved clear to record another impressive win.

She had just over two metres to spare over a gallant Jilliby Ballerini and they spaced the rest with Olivici a battling third nearly twenty five metres away.

KEAYANG ZAHARA OCT 18 REPLAY

Keayang Zahara ran her last 400 metres in an incredible 26.4 seconds with an overall mile rate of 1.55.1.

Keayang Zahara has now won 17 of her 18 starts with her only defeat at Menangle Park last May in the Mares Mile.

Jason Lee expressed his delight at winning the Group 1 event.

“I felt like we were humming. She had a fair bit left and both the girls (Keayang Zahara and Jilliby Ballerini) were brilliant. We couldn’t be happier with them and obviously a pretty quality field. I know we got it pretty good early but on the quick back up she didn’t need a gutbuster so it was nice to be able to do that. It’s never easy at Group 1 level. Just great to win a good race with her.”

“I’m really happy with her. She’s come back in great order, matured and grown right up so couldn’t be happier with her manners. We’ll enjoy tonight.”

The Lee stable was also thrilled with the performance of Jilliby Ballerini and now the team will need to make the important decision where these mares will go.

Marg Lee who trains both trotters with son Paddy has indicated that probably Jilliby Ballerini who has more experience with standing start events will go over for the big New Zealand races including the Dominion Handicap and the New Zealand Trotting Free For All at Christchurch in November.

It would therefore seem logical for Keayang Zahara to stay in Victoria and contest the Super Series Final in November and she would be the testing material if she fronted up for the big event.

Inter Dominion champion Arcee Phoenix was well beaten but he will be a different proposition if he goes to New Zealand where he will be suited by the standing start conditions of the long event.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink