Champion trotting mare Keayang Zahara’s quest to break the record for the most Group 1 wins by an Australasian trotter is on hold.
The five-year-old boasts 28 wins from 29 starts and her 15 Group 1 wins share the record with former great Kiwi trotter Lyell Creek.
Keayang Zahara was expected to grab the record outright in Saturday night’s $100,000 Group 1 Macarthur Mile, but a minor setback has derailed plans.
Alarm bells went off when she was among nominations for the race and connections confirmed she “had a cold” and would be staying home.
The race was to be one of redemption given Keayang Zahara’s only defeat came in last year’s Macarthur Mile.
But Team Lee will still be favoured to win the race with Jilliby Ballerini and Jilliby Dreamlover flying the flag.
They ran the quinella in last Saturday night’s $60,000 Group 1 Sumthingaboutmaori Trot at Melton.
It was a huge moment for Jilliby Ballerini, landing her first Group 1 win after a string of second placings behind Keayang Zahara at the top level.
“She’s probably the best, unluckiest horse ever to strike Zahara so many times,” driver Glen Craven said. “To butter up every week in the big races, it’s a credit to Marg (Lee), Paddy (Lee) and everyone at home.
Jilliby Ballerini’s resilience is remarkable.
This will be her 27th start in the past 12 months, and she’s won 16 times with five seconds, a third and a fourth. All five seconds have been to Keayang Zahara.
During that time she’s had two trips to NZ and this will be her second Menangle raid.
“To get her to back-up like she does. She’s in every fight. She went to NZ and has come back and is still sharp.
“Hopefully she can get a decent draw and do the same at Menangle,” Craven said.
Jilliby Ballerini’s last run at Menangle was a luckless second to Keayang Zahara in the Group 1 Hammerhead Mile on March 14.
Victoria will also be strongly represented in the Group 1 NSW Oaks on Saturday with Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin’s heat winners Arrhythmia and Willows Girl.
