The ongoing challenge of getting suitable flights between Melbourne and Brisbane will see many of the top contenders for the Group 1 Great Square, led by Keayang Zahara, based in Victoria.
Keayang Zahara, who has an impressive 19 wins (and a second) from just 20 starts, was $1.25 pre-post favorite to add another group win at the $150,000 Great Square at Albion Park on Saturday week.
Such is the impact on the race that Queensland officials admit they may have to move the Great Square to its previous July timeslot to ensure the quality of the race.
“I have worked to understand the travel issues and challenges facing Victorians, but ultimately in Keayang Zahara’s case there is no flight that fits what Marg (Lee, co-trainer) wants to do,” Racing Queensland senior harness manager Andrew Clarke said.
“Marg didn’t want to send the mare up early because it can be so hot here at this time of year and the other option was to arrive the day before the race.
“As things stand now, unfortunately we won’t see Keayang Zahara here.”
Keayang Zahara, who many believe can make an impact on the world stage in the next 12 to 18 months, would be a major draw for the revamped Queensland Summer Harness Carnival.
“Luckily we still have Don Hugo and Hi Managirlff here for the big pace functions and we’ll see them in action on Saturday in the Sunshine Sprint and again the week after the Blacks A Fake,” said Clarke.
“It would be fantastic to see them take on Leap To Fame in the Blacks A Fake and another exciting local in The Janitor.”
Keayang Zahara, an effortless winner of the Vicbred 4YO Mares final last Saturday night, will now shift focus to chasing a $500,000 bonus at the six-race Victorian trotting series in January/February.
The first of these is the $75,000 Group 1 Maori Mile in Bendigo on January 10.
The bonus is available to any trotter who can win four of the six races, but the bonus must include the $250,000 Group 1 Great Southern Star at Melton on February 14.
Through Adam Hamilton, for Harness Racing Australia
#Travel #hurdles #force #Keayang #Zahara #trot