Keayang Zahara makes light work of Maori Mile

Wonder mare Keayang Zahara (Volstead) made it look so easy when she led all the way in the Maori Mile for trotters at Melton on Saturday evening.

Facing only five rivals including Arcee Phoenix the winner of the previous two Maori Miles, Keayang Zahara showed surprising early speed to take up the running and from then driver Glen Craven allowed the mare suit her own terms in front.

KEAYANG ZAHARA 10 JAN REPLAY

Arcee Phoenix had no option but to race outside the leader while the much improved Im Bobby had a one out and one back trail.

However Craven released the brakes in the final lap and the newly turned five year old mare ran her last two quarters in 28.7 and 26.9 seconds to simply outclass Arcee Phoenix who tried hard with Im Bobby in third placing.

A winner of her 21 of her 22 starts to date, Keayang Zahara has now won just over $925,000 in prize money and she is already at the first stage of winning the $500,000 bonus on offer for the Victorian Country Trotting Cups. She’s clearly proved herself to be the best trotter in the country and will be the testing material in whatever she competes in.

Glen Craven who had earlier driven Jilliby Ballerini to success was overwhelmed with Keayang Zahara’s success.

Its such a privilege to drive such a good mare. I can’t thank everyone enough. It just gives you goosebumps. It was a matter of keeping the one out wide so we thought the front was always going to be there. We were just trying to get there as easy as we could. If we had to we could come out harder. But luckily it played into our hands like that.

She felt like she was doing it pretty comfortably. I didn’t ask too much of her. Who knows its all ahead of her. So hopefully she can keep doing what she’s doing.

Jason and I like to share, it’s always been that way. Marg and Paddy and all my uncles all look after us. So I can’t thank them enough.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink