Unbeaten Volstead filly wows them with sheer class

Unbeaten filly Keayang Zahara (Volstead) extended her winning streak to 7 with yet another effortless harness racing win In the Aldebaran Park Need for Speed Princess Heat for 3YO fillies at Melton last night. 

In her previous wins, Keayang Zahara had never previously  led so driver Jason Lee steadied her early from barrier 3. Stablemate Keayang Ballerini took up the early running but once balanced Keayang Zahara found the lead and from then trotted effortlessly to draw clear on the final bend.

She sprinted so quickly on straightening that at the finish she had 13 metres to spare from Jilliby Ballerini with Maori Mac a similar distance away in third.

In winning Keayang Zahara ran a career best mile rate of 1.56.2 and her final quarter of 26.9 was something to be seen.

Driver Jason Lee was relieved after the event. 

“She was a bit quirky tonight”. She’s had a light couple of weeks after her Vicbred success. I didn’t want to knock her around too much as she has a couple of races coming up. She was having a look around during the race but she was just fresh. I didn’t want her too forward too quick”.

“She’s very special. The family is excited about her. But things can go wrong. We hope she just stays in one piece.”

Keayang Zahara is a real family affair. The Lee family raced her dam Keayang Yankee (Muscles Yankee) and she was a very accomplished trotter in her own right winning 9 of her 19 appearances with a 1.55.4 career best. 

Keayang Zahara will tackle the $50,000 Final of the Need for Speed next Saturday night. Following that she will contest the $75,000 Victoria Trotting Oaks which she appears to have at her mercy. Then she will have her most challenging task when she travels to New Zealand for the Slot Invitation. 

For complete race results, click here.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink