CHAMPION trotting mare Keayang Zahara will really have to earn a slice of history.
The five-year-old boasts 26 wins, including 14 at Group 1 level, from just 27 starts.
Victory in Saturday night’s star-studded $100,000 Hammerhead Mile at Menangle will make her equal with the great Lyell Creek for the Australasian Group 1 trotting record on15 wins.
But this is without doubt the strongest field Keayang Zahara has met.
The headline of the race is the first clash between Keayang Zahara and Australia’s other pin-up trotter, Gus.
The Queensland-trained Gus shot to stardom winning the huge Group 1 double – Dominion Trot and NZ Trotters’ free-for-all – at Addington’s iconic NZ Cup Week last November.
Since then he has had a break and returned with two superb wins.
His challenge will be coming from outside the front because his past history of being risky at the start and galloping means he is out of the barrier draw.
In contrast, Keayang Zahara drew nicely in gate four and is getting out faster every time she races.
This is Keayang Zahara’s first trip to Menangle since suffering the only defeat of her career when second in the Group 1 Macarthur Mile in May, last year.
But she has won two of three Menangle starts overall, which came in the NSW Trotters’ Derby and Oaks in 2024.
The depth runs much deeper than just Keayang Zahara and Gus.
Former Great Southern Star winner Watts Up Partytime, back in form wins with at his past two runs, drew ideally in gate one.
Keayang Zahara’s brilliant stablemate and Great Southern Star runner-up Jilliby Ballerini has gate three and could be the early leader.
Multiple Group 1-winning mare Rockinwithattitude, another slick beginner, drew gate eight.
While other classy Victorians Remus Phoenix (gate two), Lovemetoo (five) and Im Bobby (nine) also bring plenty to the race.
PHOTO: Stuart McCormick
