Facing just five rivals, including Arcee Phoenix, winner of the previous two Maori Miles, Keayang Zahara showed surprising early speed to take the lead and from then on driver Glen Craven let the mare at the front meet her own terms.
KEAYANG ZAHARA JAN 10 REPEAT
Arcee Phoenix had no choice but to race outside the leader, while the much-improved Im Bobby had a one out and one back.
However, Craven let off the brakes on the final lap and the newly turned five-year-old mare ran her final two quarters in 28.7 and 26.9 seconds, easily outpacing Arcee Phoenix who was trying hard with Im Bobby in third.
A winner of 21 of her 22 starts to date, Keayang Zahara has now won just over $925,000 in prize money and is already in the early stages of winning the $500,000 bonus on offer for the Victorian Country Trotting Cups. She has clearly proven to be the best trotter in the country and will be test material in whatever she competes in.
Glen Craven, who had previously driven Jilliby Ballerini to success, was overwhelmed by Keayang Zahara’s success.
It is a privilege to ride such a good mare. I can’t thank everyone enough. It just gives you goosebumps. It was a matter of keeping the ball wide, so we thought the front would always be there. We just tried to get there as easily as possible. If we had to, we could come out harder. But luckily it played right into our hands.
She felt like she was doing it quite comfortably. I didn’t ask too much of her. Who knows, maybe it’s all still ahead of her. So hopefully she can keep doing what she’s doing.
Jason and I love to share, always have. Marg and Paddy and all my uncles all look after us. So I can’t thank them enough.
For full race results, click here.
Through Tony Milanesefor Harnesslink
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