WHAT a way to make your first splash in the big league.
Australasia’s new trotting queen, Keayang Zahara, made a one-act affair of her heat and final of the Great Southern Star at Melton last Saturday night.
It was her first start in a Trotting Masters event.
And the win made her the richest Australasian trotting mare of all time.
Prize money from last Saturday night took Keayang Zahara to $1,164,435, surpassing the record set last year by Queen Elida at $1,103,470.
And let this sink in .., Keayang Zahara has just turned five.
The two wins last Saturday night took her to 25 wins from 26 starts, including 13 at Group 1 level.
She is now equal second for career Group 1 wins with former Kiwi great Take A Moment. And she’s rapidly closing in on Lyell Creek’s record of 15.
“She’s just a freak,” driver Jason Lee said. “I’m more thrilled for Marg (Lee) and Paddy (Lee), who have been trying to win this race for five or six years now.
“To not just win it, but get the trifecta was amazing.”
Team Lee qualified a remarkable four runners for the Great Southern Star final and landed the trifecta with Keayang Zahara beat Jilliby Ballerini and the much-improved Jilliby Dreamlover.
“It’s as much relief as excitement at the moment,” co-trainer Paddy Lee said. “It’s been a big six weeks of pressure and expectations.”
Keayang Zahara will chase her 14th Group win in Saturday week’s $60,000 Grand Prix at Melton.
Her stunning dominance has sparked comparisons with the all-time greatest Australasian trotters like Maori’s Idol and Lyell Creek.
The Lee clan narrowly missed winning last year’s Trotting Masters crown with Keayang Chucky finishing second on 140 points to Arcee Phoenix (150).
The second leg of the Trotting Masters is the $100,000 Group 1 Hammerhead Mile at Menangle on March 14.
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