Keayang Zahara Vicbred's Final Win 2024 Photo by Stuart McCormick
MANY say she's the best young trotting filly Australia has seen.
The brilliant and unbeaten Keayang Zahara will be looking to add to the hype when she chases her 11th win – this time against the boys – in Sunday's Group 1 Victoria Trotters' Derby at Maryborough.
Her 10 wins have been by an aggregate of 136.1 metres and the times she runs are comparable with the best trotters of any age.
Two starts back in the Group 1 Victoria Oaks final at Melton on October 12, Keayang Zahara trotted home her last half in 55.2sec. Her last quarter was 26.6sec.
Australia's top race caller, Dan Mielicki, and decorated horseman, Nathan Jack, are just two of the many in awe of the filly.
"She's the best three-year-old filly trotter that I think I've seen," Mielicki said.
Jack added: "I've been lucky enough to drive a few Derby winners and a few really good juveniles, but she's the best I've ever seen."
And remarkably, Keayang Zahara only started racing in April.
Victory on Sunday will be her fifth at Group 1 level.
It will also cement her trip to Christchurch next month for three more major races, starting with the inaugural $NZ500,000 The Ascent at Addington on November 15.
All going well, she will stay on to chase more Group 1 glory in the NZ Trotting Oaks on November 29 and the Derby a week later.
"I don't think I need to add to the hype; there's plenty of others talking her up for us," driver Jason Lee said.
"There's no doubt she's special, and I just hope she keeps on doing her thing for the sake of the sport as much as us."
"She's got people outside of the game talking. That's rare, and it's pretty cool."
While Lee is focused on Sunday for now, he let his mind wander to NZ.
"If this weekend goes well, then NZ would be the trip of a lifetime," he said.
"I grew up watching all the good Kiwis come over and not just race in but win our biggest races. They'd come and kick our ass. It would be great to go over there with a filly we think is good enough to beat them."
Joining Keayang Zahara at Maryborough, and hopefully in NZ, is Australasia's champion trotter, Just Believe.
The rising nine-year-old will chase his 19th win from his past 21 starts in the Trotters' Gold Cup.
He's then booked on a flight to NZ next Tuesday, where he will chase his 10th and 11th Group 1 win in the $NZ400,000 Dominion Trot on November 12 and the $NZ100,000 NZ Trotting free-for-all three days later.
Just Believe is one of four horses trainer Jess Tubbs will take to Christchurch. Auckland Cup winner Better Eclipse, who runs at Melton on Saturday, tough trotter One Over All, and Victoria Derby finalists Hes From Heaven will also make the trip.
