Harness racing: Unbeaten trotter Keayang Zahara faces ‘real test’ stepping into open-aged racing for the first time

Unbeaten trotting mare Keayang Zahara could be vulnerable in her return at Melton on Saturday night, and her trainer lists the reason why.

Unbeaten trotter Keayang Zahara makes her return at Melton on Saturday night. Picture: HRNZ

Unbeaten trotting mare Keayang Zahara will be at her most vulnerable when she returns from a lengthy spell at Melton on Saturday night.

The four-year-old boasts 14 wins, including seven at Group 1 level, is the best young trotter Australia has seen for decades.

Keayang Zahara hasn’t raced since thrashing her rivals in the Group 1 NZ Trotting Derby in Christchurch on December 6.

Despite stepping into open-aged racing for the first time, Keayang Zahara will be straight into the deep end against some proven older Group 1 stars, headed by Im Ready Jet and Great Southern Star winner Watts Up Partytime.

Co-trainer Paddy Lee said a range of factors made this Keayang Zahara’s biggest test yet.

“She’s first-up, it’s a sprint and she’s against some quality, hardened older horses. It’s a real test,” he said.

“Under the handicapping system, there’s no easy transition from racing her against her own age. It’s straight into free-for-alls and against strong opposition.”

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Lee said he and mother Marg, who co-trains Keayang Zahara, aren’t overly worried about her unbeaten streak.

“Sure you’d love them to keep winning, but that means more to others than us. We know it’ll come to an end, it could be this week,” he said.

“Maybe it’s lucky Mum and I are quite relaxed people. I’m not saying we won’t be a bit nervous by race time, but we’re realistic, too.”

Caution aside, Lee said Keayang Zahara was ready to resume.

“She’s as ready as we can get her without a race,” he said. “We normally don’t like to give our horses too hard a trial at Terang because the surface is quite heavy, but we tried to treat her trial last week like a race because we knew she was going straight into a strong race.

“All the signs are good at home. I wouldn’t say she’s grown much during the break, but she’s certainly filled out.

“I think that’s just going to be her, she’s a really athletic, long and lanky sort of mare.”

Everyone put your hands together for Keayang Zahara 👏

The daughter of Volstead makes it 14 starts for 14 wins taking out the 2024 Garrards New Zealand Trotting Derby in the hands of Jason Lee for trainer Margaret Lee@AddingtonNZ | @HarnessRacingNZ | @WoodlandsStudNZpic.twitter.com/54zdsQCjv5

— Trackside NZ (@TracksideNZ) December 6, 2024

Lee’s cousin, Glen Craven, will replace Jason Lee and drive Keayang Zahara for the first time on Saturday.

“That’s Jase’s call. We all love sharing the load and opportunities down here and Jase wanted Glen to have a few drives on the mare,” he said.

Craven will stay aboard when Keayang Zahara heads to Sydney to chase more Group 1 glory in Saturday week’s $100,000 Macarthur Mile at Menangle.

“I think the plan is for Glen to drive for a while and then Jase to get back aboard for the Brisbane (Inter Dominion) series,” Lee said.

Keayang Zahara isn’t renowned for her gate speed and has barrier three on Saturday night. Im Ready Jet (two) and Watts Up Partytime (four) are either side of her.

“We just hope she isn’t too fresh and doesn’t get fired up with all the speed around her at the start,” Lee said.

“We’re going there happy with where she’s at, but also knowing it’ll be quite a challenge to start her season.”

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

Originally published as Harness racing: Unbeaten trotter Keayang Zahara faces ‘real test’ stepping into open-aged racing for the first time