Undefeated filly headed to New Zealand

UNDEFEATED filly Keayang Zahara is heading to New Zealand.

Stating she was considering the Trans Tasman trip following the trotter's previous win, trainer Marg Lee confirmed Keayang Zahara will undertake a Shaky Isles campaign following her Victoria Trotters' Oaks triumph in Melton last night.

Keayang Zahara is scheduled to leave Australia on November 4 with The Ascent - a $500,000 slot race for three-year-old trotting fillies - her first target.

The daughter of Volstead will then be aimed at the New Zealand Trotters' Oaks a fortnight later and the Derby on December 6.

"We are certainly looking at the slot race and Oaks, and if all is well, then we will look at the Derby," Lee said. "We'll play it by ear with that one.

"She is also eligible for the Breeders' Crown back home, but I'm not sure about that.

"The New Zealand races could see her out for the season...we'll let her tell us if she's had enough."

With Lee's son, Jason, holding the reins, Keayang Zahara trounced her rivals to capture her fourth Group One from just nine starts.

Working to the lead from barrier four, the squaregaiter was never fully extended to score by 18 metres from Jilliby Ballerini, with Maoris Mac five-and-a-half metres away third.

Also boasting a Group Two among her victories, Keayang Zahara rated 1:58.8 over 2240 metres.

"She did it so easily, which was pleasing," Lee said. "She is settling a lot better, and I think those early races when we were dropping her out to allow her time to get into her rhythm, is really paying off.

"It was also an emotional win as Jason dedicated it to his great Uncle Dick Lee, who passed away last month."