In a surprise change of plans, Australia’s most exciting trotter Keayang Zahara is set to chase her 10th Group 1 win in Brisbane on Saturday night.
After issues getting a suitable flight from Melbourne to Brisbane for the glamour mare, connections will now take her on a 22-hour road trip from Terang to Brisbane for the $150,000 Group 1 Great Square at Albion Park.
Driver Jason Lee said plans were being finalised to leave tomorrow or Tuesday and include a lengthy stopover “about halfway” to ease the travel burden.
“Of course it’s not ideal, but it’s the only guaranteed way of getting there,” he said.
“We’ve been exploring flights for a couple of weeks and there is one the day before the race, but we’ve been told there’s no guarantee it will go on time or even go at all.
“We were reluctant about the road trip, but now we’ve got our heads around it, it can work.
“She’s actually had a really light season and we’ve got over a month after the Brisbane race until her next main target at Bendigo.
“We’ve been umming and ahh-ing for a week about this, but it looks like we’re going to give a crack.”
Keayang Zahara took her amazing record to 19 wins (and a second) from just 20 starts when she toyed with her rivals in the Group 1 Vicbred 4YO Mares’ final at Melton eight days ago.
The opportunity to race against her own age at Group 1 level one last time this year was a strong lure.
“It’s a Group 1 and looks like a great race for her against three and four-year-olds,” Lee said.
“We were mindful she didn’t handle a trip to Sydney really well earlier this year, but then if you go back to last year, she went to Sydney and loved it.
“She’s going to need to travel for big races going ahead, this is the time to try it again.
“Next year’s Inter Dominion is in Brisbane, this is also a chance to take her up there before that, too.”
Keayang Zahara has only raced six times this season for five wins. She was a $1.25 favourite for the Great Square before markets were suspended when doubts emerged about her making the trip.
Beyond Brisbane, Keayang Zahara will chase a new $500,000 bonus through a six-race trotting series in Victoria from January 10 to February 14.
The first leg is the Group 1 Maori Mile at Bendigo on January 10.
The bonus will go to any trotter which can win at least four of the six races, but they must include the $250,000 Great Southern Star at Melton on February 14.
Keayang Zahara’s first Brisbane appearance adds more star power to an already strong Blacks A Fake meeting next Saturday night.
Champion pacer Leap To Fame will have his first start since a recent NZ raid when he defends his crown in the feature, the $250,000 Group 1 Blacks A Fake.
His key rivals fought-out last night’s Group 2 Sunshine Sprint with star speedster Hi Manameisjeff leading throughout to beat emerging local The Janitor, who was enormous in second spot after sitting parked outside the winner.
Former Inter Dominion, Miracle Mile and TAB Eureka winner Don Hugo caught the eye late when he flashed home from near last for a close fourth.
PHOTO: HRNZ/Race Images NZ
