If the Kiwis liked what they say of Aussie trotting queen Keayang Zahara the last time she raced there, they will see an even better version on Friday night.
That’s the warning from driver Jason Lee ahead of Friday night’s $NZ530,000 TAB Trot at Cambridge in NZ’s North Island.
Keayang Zahara romped to three feature race wins from as many starts when she crossed the ditch to race at Addington in NZ’s South Island in November/December, 2024.
“She was a bit of a raw talent then,” Lee said. “Her ability has always been super since day dot, but it’s her manners and ringcraft which have improved. She’s a complete package now.”
Keayang Zahara has drawn comparisons with the all-time greats of Australasian trotting with her 27 wins from 28 starts, including 15 at Group 1 level.
Lee says “privileged” is the best way to describe driving her.
“She feels like you’re driving a rocket,” he said. “She got gears and the sort of gears only the fast pacers I’ve driven over the years have had.
“Our family, all the uncles, have worked so hard for so long to get these horses and now they have their superstar. I’ve got the privilege of driving her.
“It really is pinch yourself stuff.
“I try to take time to reflect and enjoy, that’s important, but there’s a part of you always still moving on to the next thing.”
That next thing is the richest race Keayang Zahara has been in so far at Cambridge.
“This one would mean a lot,” Lee said. “Last year we watched our good mate Chris Svanosio win it with Arcee Phoenix and saw what it meant to him.
“In just three years this race has grown into one of the best (trotting races) in Australia or NZ.
“When I was growing up, it was the Kiwis who would come over and win our biggest races with all their stars, but it’s certainly changed in the last few years.
“It’s still a new challenge to go to a different country for a big race like this and I’m the sort of person who loves a challenge.”
Lee’s brother Paddy, who co-trains Keayang Zahara, said she and star stablemate Jilliby Ballerini had thrived since arriving in NZ on Saturday.
While Jilliby Ballerini is a star in her own right with 16 wins and $362,630 in earnings, she continues to live in Keayang Zahara’s shadow.
Jason Lee can’t see that changing at Cambridge.
“Glen (Craven, cousin) and I are lucky enough to drive them both at times. Sometimes you’ll win on ‘Ballerini’ and think she’s closing the gap, but then you’ll get back on ‘Zahara’ and realise she’s nowhere near her,” he said.
“I’d say if they raced 50 times, Zahara would win 48 or 49 of them.”
As if she needed it, Keayang Zahara got another boost with a perfect draw (gate two).
If she doesn’t lead, stablemate Jilliby Ballerini (gate four) will and then she will take a sit on Keayang Zahara.
As good as Queensland star Gus is, drawing eight and almost certainly having to come from last around the field would seem an almost impossible way to try and beat Keayang Zahara.
