Jason Lee will miss the Inter Dominion to drive trotting sensation Keayang Zahara in New Zealand

Jason Lee will miss the opening night of the Inter Dominion series but the opportunity to steer the best horse he has ever driven this weekend will ease the frustration.

Harness racing trotter Keayang Zahara and driver Jason Lee. Picture: HRNZ

Top driver Jason Lee wants to be in two places at once on Friday night.

It is opening night of the iconic Inter Dominion series at Newcastle where Lee could have two plum drives – Keayang Chucky and Aldebaran Vera – but instead he’ll be in another country.

That’s because the best horse he’s ever driven, unbeaten three-year-old filly Keayang Zahara, will be a commanding favourite to stretch her unbeaten record to 13 races in the $NZ140,000 Group 1 NZ Trotting Oaks in Christchurch.

“I guess it’s a good problem to have, but it’s still frustrating,” Lee said.

“As much as the Inter Dominion is a big thing, nothing would get me off this filly. She’s something else.

“At least it’s just one of the four nights of the Inter Dominion. I’ll be good to go in the other three and hopefully one of ours makes the final.

“We’re lucky to have Will Rixon to ‘sub-in’ for me at Newcastle. He’s a top young driver and family friend.”

Keayang Zahara isn’t just the best horse Lee has driven, but arguably the best young trotter Australia has produced.

The times and ease of her wins, including five at Group 1 level already, are almost unheard of in this part of the world.

And she only had her first start on April 3.

'Keayang Zahara, she is the Chosen One!'💥

It was like poetry in motion watching Keayang Zahara tear away to victory in the inaugural running of The Ascent with a confident Jason Lee drive for Australian trainer Margaret Lee@AddingtonNZ| @HarnessRacingNZ | @WoodlandsStudNZpic.twitter.com/wsSuZMn7WU

— Trackside NZ (@TracksideNZ) November 15, 2024

Lee said a “little dash up” the day before the Oaks could be the key to another Keayang Zahara masterclass at Addington.

Lee is due back in Christchurch on Wednesday from the family’s Ecklin South farm near Terang.

He will consult with foreman and caretaker trainer Antti Ruokonen on the final touches before Keayang Zahara.

“Antti says she’s been great since the last win. Yes, she was a bit tired after it and a bit stiff, too, but the track was quite heavy through Cup Week and you saw that with slower times they were running,” Lee said.

“She bounced back quickly and Antti said everything points to her being as good as ever.

“The one thing I’m keen to see myself is how fresh she seems. On the Tuesday before the slot race, she was bouncing around and double barrelling, if she’s like that again I’ll give her a hit out the day before the race (Thursday).

“It wouldn’t be ideal if she was too fresh behind the starting gate.”

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Lee said drawing out in gate seven didn’t faze him.

“It’s about where you’d like and takes the pressure out of potentially having to really use her early,” he said.

“I’m sure she’ll have plenty of early speed when want to use it, and maybe we’ll use some this week, but we’ve spent a lot of time training to settle and relax.

“The other top filly (Empire City) is drawn outside us and I’m sure we’ve got the speed to keep them all outside of us as we float forward.

“It’s only short (1980m), so we’re best working forward to stay away from any traffic.”

Keayang Zahara brilliantly won all 11 Aussie runs before becoming the talk of NZ Cup Week with his breathtaking eight-length win in the inaugural $500,000 The Ascent at Addington on November 15.

Connections immediately opted to stay in NZ for the Oaks, but will delay a decision on staying another week for the $200,000 Group 1 NZ Trotting Derby.

“It really is one race at a time,” Lee said.

“It makes sense to stay because we’re here and it’s only another week, but we’re mindful of how far she’s come so quickly and it’s still her first campaign.

“Let’s just see how she gets through this week and we’ll make the Derby call by Sunday, I’d think.”

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

Originally published as Jason Lee will miss the Inter Dominion to drive trotting sensation Keayang Zahara in New Zealand