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Keayang Zahara takes it to next level in NZ with dominant victory in The Ascent at Addington

As if her 11 wins in Australia wasn’t mesmerising enough, Keayang Zahara took it global when she absolutely demolished NZ’s best in the inaugural $NZ500,000 The Ascent at Addington.

Adam Hamilton
2 min read
November 15, 2024 - 3:43PM
Keayang Zahara shows her class in her dominant victory in The Ascent at Addington. Picture: HRNZ
Keayang Zahara shows her class in her dominant victory in The Ascent at Addington. Picture: HRNZ

We just might have the second coming of Maori’s Idol.

It is almost 50 years since the Maori’s Idol stormed to 40 wins from 46 starts and stamped himself as the greatest trotter in this part of the world.

The likes of Scotch Notch, Lyell Creek and currently Just Believe have done almost unthinkable things.

But the excitement and potential around unbeaten Victorian three-year-old trotting filly Keayang Zahara is next level.

As if her 11 wins in Australia wasn’t mesmerising enough, Keayang Zahara took it global when she absolutely demolished NZ’s best in the inaugural $NZ500,000 The Ascent at Addington.

In a week where the mighty stayer Swayzee went back-to-back in the NZ Cup itself on Tuesday and Just Believe posted a 10th Group 1 win on the same day, Keayang Zahara somehow stole the show.

You just don’t see what she did, coming around to sit outside the leader before blasting clear to win by eight lengths with driver Jason Lee letting her coast to the line and waving his whip to the roars of an appreciative crowd.

“She’s something special,” Lee said. “I’ve driven some nice horses, but never had a feeling like that on one in a race of that quality.

“There’s a fair bit of relief to be honest. We’ve been here a week and you realise how big harness racing is here and the expectation they have of her. They’d just expected her to turn up and win.

“Everything fell into place. She settled well, her bloods were great and she felt terrific when we brought her in for a look around Addington last Saturday.

“To win a big race like that on a track like Addington in (NZ) Cup week … It’s really special.”

It’s a long way from Ecklin South, near Terang, where Keayang Zahara was bred and trained by Marg Lee and sons, Jason and Paddy.

“You dream of doing things like when you start out in the game,” Jason Lee said. “To have Mum and so many of the extended family here to see her do it makes so extra special.”

Keayang Zahara, who only started racing in April and already boasts six Group 1 wins, will stay in Christchurch to add another in the $NZ140,000 NZ Trotting Oaks on November 29.

“As long as she’s good tomorrow, she’ll stay for that, but I’m not so sure about staying beyond that for the Derby,” Marg Lee said.

“We’re mindful she’s come a long way very quickly and she’s got a whole career in front of her.”

Earlier, Just Believe suffered only his third defeat in 22 starts since returning from Sweden last year when a mighty brave second in the Group 1 NZ Trotting free-for-all.

Just Believe had to sit parked outside classy speedster Muscle Mountain with defending champion Oscar Bonavena stalking in the one-one trail.

Oscar Bonavena, who posted his 36th win and moved close to $1 million in earnings, when he scored the upset win by a length.

• Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor writing on harness racing for News Corp.

Originally published as Keayang Zahara takes it to next level in NZ with dominant victory in The Ascent at Addington

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Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/horse-racing/vic-racing/keayang-zahara-takes-it-to-next-level-in-nz-with-dominant-victory-in-the-ascent-at-addington/news-story/d8071804a3ae5af1b0a1b69b84e27e28