Superstar equals Australian and southern hemisphere records

ANYONE expecting tonight’s $100,000 Yabby Dam Farms Hammerhead Trotters' Mile to be a race in two at Tabcorp Park Menangle received a rude shock.

Superstar Victorian trotter Keayang Zahara simply outclassed her rivals, including well-backed Queenslander Gus, with a fabulous win in a 1:51.5 mile to equal the Australian track record for a squaregaiter.

This incredible daughter of Volstead raced away for a 12-and-a-half metre win over her stablemate Jilly Ballerini, with outsider Remus Phoenix a battling third a further one and a half metres away third.

Gus was a close fourth after making a move from last before the home turn.

Keayang Zahara came to Menangle boasting an amazing record of 26 wins from her 27 starts with leading young driver Jason Lee in the bike.

Yet her one defeat was at Menangle, suggesting the stable was on a mission with the mighty mare.

Turning for home Lee released the brakes and the race was as good as over with everyone watching the clock to see if her win would create history.

It did, as she equalled Maori Time’s record and took her earnings to an amazing $1.25million.

Keayang Zahara also equalled Lyell Creek's southern hemisphere for the most Group One wins - 15.

“It’s nice to come here on such a big night and put up such a good time,” said Lee. “This is pretty cool.

“David Miles came out super fast with Rockinwithattitude so I was quite content to let him go and then make my move once the field settled down.

“It would have been nice for her to get the record on her own but really she was out on her own a bit out there. But to win so easily was terrific.”

Co-trainer Marg Lee said a slot race in New Zealand was her champion trotter’s next target.

“People showed her so much love when she raced over there before so it will be nice to go back and race there again,” said Marg. “She’s a special horse and we just love her to death.

“Jilliby Ballerini is pretty special too and the two of them get on so well and are great travelling companions.

“I was glad this big crowd got to see the best of her tonight”