‘Uncle Dick’ the wind beneath Lee’s sails

A win in Saturday night’s Catanach’s Jewellers Trotters Oaks Final would be extra special for Jason Lee and the harness racing stable if trotting powerhouse Keayang Zahara (Volstead) can salute in the Group 1 classic.

Driver Jason Lee was closely related to late harness racing titan, Richard (Dick) Lee.

“Dick was my dad’s uncle and dad doesn’t have that much interest in racing, so it is funny how things worked out,” Jason Lee said.

“We would be dedicating the win to Dick (Lee), if we could pull it off.

“Dick and (his wife) Jean were a big part of our lives and with him being such a successful trainer and driver and being a great bloke, he use to give me plenty of advice.

“He helped me out along the way and if I needed it, he would give me a kick up the bum or told me off if I was doing something wrong.”

The Margaret Lee-prepared squaregaiting excitement machine has continued to go from strength-to strength after a front- running display in the Aldebaran Park Need For Speed Princess Final at Melton Entertainment Park last week.

Regular driver Jason Lee is happy with how the filly has prepared in readiness for Saturday night’s Group 1 event.

“She seems good, the run was what we expected and maybe we would have liked to have a bit of an easier run,” Lee said.

“She will do her fast work up the straight track this week and if all goes well, she will tick over till Saturday night.”

The anatomical rise of Keayang Zahara has been a whirlwind of emotion for the Ecklin South reinsman.

“It has been very exciting,” Lee said.

“We knew she was very good; we didn’t think she was this good and the ride so far has been incredible.

“Any wins you have to enjoy them and there is pressure now that she is undefeated, and people are expecting her to perform very well, and you have to make sure you have got her as good as you can.”

Keayang Zahara has drawn four for Saturday nights 2240m event.

“I am happy with the draw,” Lee said.

The Catanach’s Jewellers Trotters Oaks Final is set to go at 10.37pm with the event being one of six Group 1 showdowns on a massive Victoria Cup card.

The October 12 meeting will be shown on Sky Racing, with a special free-to-air broadcast on Racing.com’s channels 68 and 78.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Lachlan Mitchell, for Harness Racing Victoria