Keayang Zahara’s maintains her brilliant record

Wonder mare Keayang Zahara (Volstead) had to draw upon all her championship qualities when she outstayed her harness racing rivals in the Group 1 $150,000 Haras Des Trotteurs  Great Square at Albion Park on Saturday evening.

The race was affected with a false start that obviously unsettled a number of runners.

Driver Jason Lee was interested in just letting Keayang Zahara settle down early. From the second row, Sydney visitor Sunset Hill showed great speed to zoom through the pack to lead clearly.

Soon after Keayang Zahara took a trail one out and two back. Smart mare Maoris Mac had a trail behind the leader after surrendering the early lead.

Lee allowed Keayang Zahara full stride into the back straight but she then settled in behind Sunset Hill who looked as if he might try to steal the race in the final lap.

KEAYANG ZAHARA DEC 6 REPLAY

Sunset Stride was clear on the bend but with the crowd support Keayang Zahara stretched out and she ended up winning by over two metres from a gallant Sunset Stride and Maoris Mac in third place just ahead of Valtino.

Lee said after the event.

Before the race we had identified Sunset Stride as our only possible dangeR. I didn’t want to take her around into the death seat as that would have given her a harder run than I wanted. Normally when she goes full out, she just continues but when I elected to take the trail behind Sunset Hill she settled in beautifully.

And she did it just so easily at the finish.

Keayang Zahara has now an astonishing 20 of her 21 appearances including ten Group 1 events with her only blemish being a runner up at Menangle in May. Her stake earnings now exceed $868,000.

Keayang Zahara will now head back straight to Terang and her immediate aim in six weeks time is the Maori Mile at Bendigo.

Her other immediate aim apart from the Country Cups will be the Great Southern Star and trainer Marg Lee indicated that racing twice in the day won’t be a problem. The mare pulled up a treat after her win. Having conquered the very best in both Australia and New Zealand there doesn’t seem to be any races or series that would be beyond her.

However the Lees are realistic in not getting carried away with potential overseas invitations. As Jason Lee indicated

We’ll just take her back home and then plan from there.

In any other race Sunset Stride would have stolen the event with daring break up tactics. But for his connections it was unfortunate that he had to meet a star like Keayang Zahara. The New Zealand bred gelding had been unbeaten in his two Australian appearances and its obvious from his run last night that he will make his presence felt in better classes.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink