Keayang Zahara is something special

She appeared a nice prospect, she looks stunning and now we know that three-year-old harness racing filly Keayang Zahara (Volstead) is one out of the box.

At just her third career start, the Victorian filly posted her third win and first Group one victory for trainer Marg Lee in the Haras Des Trotteurs NSW Trotters Oaks at Menangle tonight (May 4).

A patient and conservative drive by Jason Lee on the inexperienced trotter was the key to a five-metre victory.

Lee admitted before the race that Keayang Zahara would be driven quietly from the barrier one draw, and the pair found themselves four back on the pegs.

“I thought we were in a little bit of strife at one stage.  But you can’t panic on an inexperienced trotter,” Lee said.

“It was what it was – we just had to take our medicine early.  They did bowl along a bit, so I was confident she would finish on, but she still had to do it,” he said.

Lee managed to extract Keayang Zahara at the 550-metre mark, and balanced the filly around the final bend before she turned on the jets in the straight and blew away her opposition.

KEAYANG ZAHARA REPLAY

Volstead produced three of the first four finishers in the Oaks, with Pinnie (Robert Morris) finishing third and Worth Waiting (Rebecca Bartley) fourth.  Mega Spur (Pegasus Spur) finished runner up.

Keayang Zahara was bred by Marg and Paddy Lee, and Jason was quick to pay tribute to the family effort that has produced a polished juvenile.

“All the family have put in the effort so it’s nice to have a nice filly again.  Everyone at home has had something to do with this, Marg, Paddy, Glenn, and she’s a lovely filly,” he said.

“We will just enjoy tonight.  This is a good start, and we will just take it day by day.  She’s hopefully a horse that has a pretty bright future.”

For complete race results, click here.

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink