Photo: Stuart McCormick
NEW Zealanders will see a different Keayang Zahara to when she crossed the ditch 18 months ago.
Driver Jason Lee said the now five-year-old had matured a lot from when she home in three feature races at Addington in late 2024.
“As far as ability goes, she’s always been super since day one, but it’s more her manners and ringcraft which has improved. She’s a complete package now and that stretches to how she travels to and from the races now,” he said.
“She’s a very smart animal now, she knows when to conserve her energy.”
And Keayang Zahara is getting off the gate quicker at the start than ever.
“We knew that would come, but she had a tendency to over-race if we used her early. We didn’t need to, so we didn’t rush her,” Lee said.
That gate speed could be relevant if Keayang Zahara draws the pole tomorrow (Tuesday). She has to draw one, two or three under the preferential draw based on sex.
Co-trainer Paddy Lee isn’t fussed about the draw.
“Maybe one wouldn’t be absolutely ideal, but we’ll take it. She’s getting out quicker each run,” he said.
Lee said Keayang Zahara and star stablemate Jilliby Ballerini, who boasts even more gate speed, had both travelled across well from Melbourne to Auckland on the weekend.
“They’ve settled in well at Stonewell and I can’t fault them,” he said. “So far, so good.”
Like everyone, Lee was very impressed with the win of Queensland star Gus at Cambridge last Thursday.
“Gee he went good, didn’t he,” he said. “I especially liked how strongly he hit the line.
“We’ve only raced him once in the Hammerhead (Mile) last time and it mathematically impossible for him the way the race was run.
“It’ a different story this time, over a longer trip”
Keayang Zahara led in the Hammerhead, while Gus came from last with a big move midrace, but tired late to run fourth.
“We’ve got a lot of respect for Gus and expect a much harder contest this time.”
Despite how impressive Gus was last week, he is still a $12 shot with Keayang Zahara $1.08 favourite and Jilliby Ballerini in between them at $10.
Pending barriers, the most likely scenario is the explosive beginner Jilliby Ballerini leading and taking a trail on Keayang Zahara.
Gus’ co-trainer and driver Pete McMullen is wary of that.
“We’re back in the draw and he can get off the gate well. I’m hoping we can settle in front of a few rather than last, like Menangle,” he said.
“A lot will depend on how hard Keayang Zahara has to work to get the front. I’d like to drive him (Gus) with one run, but if the mare leads easily, I may have to make an early move.”
- Adam Hamilton
