She shows freakish ability, is on the verge of creating another slice of history and appears to have no equal, but exactly where does Keayang Zahara sit among the best trotting mares Australia has produced?
Boasting an impeccable 22 wins and a second from 23 outings, Keayang Zahara is the highest earning member of the ‘fairer sex’ in her gate in Australian history.
With a bankroll of $967,785, the five-year-old is an odds-on favourite to become the nation’s first millionaire trotting mare in Saturday night’s Cranbourne Trotters’ Cup.
To do so in just 24 starts is staggering.
New Zealand-bred Queen Elida is Australasia’s richest trotting mare with earnings of $1,103,470 after being retired with 37 wins and 34 placings from 88 starts.
Success in this weekend’s feature will also be Keayang Zahara’s 12th Group One.
The Marg and Paddy Lee-trained daughter of Volstead already holds the Australian record for the most Group One victories by a trotter.
Immortal New Zealand champion Lyell Creek lays claim to the southern hemisphere stance with 15.
Crowned Australian and New Zealand Three-Year-Old Trotting Filly of the Year in 2024, Keayang Zahara is all but guaranteed the Aussie honour again for 2025.
But, where does all this position Keayang Zahara among the all-time greats.
According to several experts – second behind the great Scotch Notch.
Hall of Fame member and all round nice guy, Peter Wharton is certain Scotch Notch is yet to be surpassed four decades after she was retired!
In the southern hemisphere alone, Scotch Notch won a host of majors, including two Inter Dominions.
Australian Trotter of the Year on three consecutive occasions, Scotch Notch was also crowned New Zealand Trotter of the Year in 1983.
Smashing the national record with her 1:55.6 time trial at Moonee Valley, Scotch Notch’s mark stood for 26 years until Sundons Gift lowered it to 1:54.3 in 2010.
It was another eight years before a mare – Maori Time – beat Scotch Notch’s record.
It is worth noting Keayang Zahara has also equalled or beaten Scotch Notch’s fastest time on nine occasions over distances from 1720 to 2240 metres.
With a bankroll of $670,755, Scotch Notch also remained the richest Aussie-bred trotting mare until Im Ready Jett surpassed the tally more than 30 decades later!
“Scotch Notch beat the best trotters in commission in Australia, New Zealand and USA,” Wharton said. “And she did so while setting a string of world, track and race records on the way.
“I’ve seen so many wonderful mares in my time, but none have yet to measure up to Scotch Notch.”
Another Hall of Fame member and friendly face Len Barker echoed Wharton’s sentiments.
“There have been some wonderful mares over the years,” Baker said. “The likes of Sumthingaboutmaori, Christine Maree, Glenfield Girl and Queen Elida come to mind, but the two standouts are Gramel and Scotch Notch.
“I give Scotch Notch the nod of those two.”
Interestingly, recently-retired scribe Michael Court had Scotch Notch second behind La Coocaracha.
Displaying extraordinary skill, La Coocaracha was without doubt a star, winning six Group Ones on both sides of the Tasman during the early 2000s .
Under the guidance of Victorian trainer Andy Gath, La Coocaracha was voted Australian and New Zealand Trotter of the Year in 2002.
Injury forced La Coocaracha into retirement with 23 and two placings from 36 starts for earnings of $428,911 and a quickest time of 1:58.5 over a mile in Geelong.
La Coocaracha’s versatility resulted in her winning from 1609 to 3200 metres
“For me, the all-time greatest trotting mare has to be La Coocaracha,” Court said. “She could handle all tracks and conditions and also excelled when she travelled away from Victoria.
“On top of that, she went on to become a champion broodmare as well. She was a freak!”
While the trio have Keayang Zahara behind Scotch Notch and La Coocaracha, they agree the five-year-old has the potential to surpass the leading duo.
“No doubt Keayang Zahara may overtake them, however, I believe Scotch Notch is by far the best trotting mare that I have seen,” Baker said.
Wharton chimed in with “Keayang Zahara is the heir apparent and could well go past Scotch Notch in the next 12 months.”
Court also believes 2026 will be a deciding factor on Keayang Zahara’s greatness legacy.
“I reckon this year will determine if she is as good as the great La Coocaracha,” Court said. “It’s going to be exciting to watch how she goes.”
As for her pending assignment, Keayang Zahara has drawn to extend her winning streak from barrier four.
TAB Fixed Odds have Keayang Zahara listed as an unbackable $1.04, with Im Bobby the only other runner under double figures at $9 from gate five.
HOOFNOTE: There is also the prospect of Keayang Zahara collecting Harness Racing Victoria’s $500,000 bonus in coming weeks.
In what can only be described as a phenomenal promotion, HRV will pay the mouth-watering sum to any trotter which wins four specified races.
One of those victories has to be in the Great Southern Star in Melton on February 14.
Keayang Zahara has won the first two, with Cranbourne being the third!
Bonuses are not included in a trotter or pacer’s earnings.
