Keayang Zahara destroys her rivals in record equalling 15 Group 1 wins

Australia’s champion trotter Keayang Zahara (Volstead) equalled Lyell Creek’s Group 1 winning record of 15 wins when she simply outclassed her harness racing rivals in the $100,000 Group 1 Yabby Dam Farms Hammerhead Trotters Free For All at Menangle on Saturday evening.

Although she was clearly a hot favourite it was expected that she would face some test with the presence of Gus who had won two feature events in New Zealand and had shown dramatic improvement this time in.

Rockinwithattitude showed dazzling early speed to take up the running. Jason Lee was in no hurry to go hard early but once he allowed Keayang Zahara to get balanced she quickly zoomed around the field to take up the running. Gus who was out wide settled back near the rear of the field.

KEAYANG ZAHARA 14 MAR REPLAY

Stablemate Jilliby Ballerini settled down in third placing. Pete McMullen on Gus made his run along the back straight but that was when Keayang Zahara quickly put a space between herself and the rest of the field.

The crowd started applauding at the top of the straight and on the line Keayang Zahara had 12 metres to spare over Jilliby Ballerini while outsider Remus Phoenix ran the race of his life to finish third.

In winning Keayang Zahara equalled Maori Time’s track record of 1.51.5.

Keayang Zahara has now won 27 of 28 starts for just over $1.25 million in prize money.

The mare is New Zealand bound to take her place in the Cambridge Slot race on April 10. Before that it is likely that she will need to have a run prior and in her home town she may take her place in the Terang Trotters Cup where she will need to come off 30 metres if she accepts. It is also likely that stable mate Jilliby Ballerini and Gus will make the trip as well to Cambridge.

Jason Lee was full of superlatives for his wonder mare.

She’s life changing so very special. We all love our horses but we love her a little extra. Even people clapping, coming before and after the race to take photos its pretty crazy to see that she has that sort of impact.

And non racing people know all about her so its very cool.

Strawberry as she is known can be a bit grumpy but she’s lovely to work with and what not but if you annoy her too much or go to get her when its feed time and she’s had enough she’ll let you know and have a little nip of you or go to have a kick. But she’s pretty good to work with and pretty easy going. But she definitely has a bit of attitude.

We’ll get her back home and set her for Cambridge but maybe the Inter Dominion (in July) and things like that but just take it one step at a time. With the heavy travel and having to come up here and then off to New Zealand you never know when they need a little freshen up. So we’ll just let her tell us.

“She is life-changing, so very special.”✨

We caught up with driver Jason Lee after Keayang Zahara starred in the Group 1 @YabbyDamFarms Hammerhead Trotters Mile, where she recorded her 15th Australasian Group 1. @HRNSW_Harness pic.twitter.com/uTzjgyYAZu

— Club Menangle (@ClubMenangle) March 14, 2026

For complete Menangle race results, click here.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink