Australian Harness Racing Preview – 11th May 2024

A boom filly tackling progressive male trotters from three states creates an intriguing running of the Group 1 NSW Trotters Derby at Menangle on Saturday night.

Victorian Keayang Zahara has become one of the most talked about trotting fillies of recent times after extending her unbeaten record to three in last week's Group 1 NSW Oaks.

The Margaret Lee-trained filly had created a big buzz by spanking her rivals in her first two starts and went into the Oaks as a warm favourite but was beaten for early speed from her inside draw and was shuffled back in the field.

Driver Jason Lee was able to extricate her from the pegs and gave chase three wide without cover, allowing Keayang Zahara to gobble up her rivals in the straight and post a 5.2m win.

She faces a new challenge taking on the boys this time and draws on the pegs again so risks getting locked away in a repeat of last week's scenario.

She oozes class though and has plenty of progression to come so looks a big chance to land the Oaks-Derby double.

Keayang Zahara is one of four last-start winners in the Derby and the other three all pose a danger, particularly Queenslander Ajay Volstead.

He is a progressive colt who has won both attempts at Menangle, last start leading from a wider barrier and drawing clear to score by 7.6m.

That was his third success from just four starts and he has been kept up to the mark with a trial since.

He looks likely to push forward again from this barrier so should get every chance to upset the filly and land the hat trick.

Thunda Struck looks a player after he overcame a second row draw for a resuming win at Bendigo and has won a trial since so should have come on.

He drew a similar barrier to this when he ended last campaign with a second in the G1 Breeders Crown Final at Melton, one of just two defeats in five starts.

Head Em Up is another down from Queensland and draws deep but brings strong form having put together a hat trick of wins at Albion Park.

He is progressive and can measure right up with even luck.

Taipo is well drawn to win the night's other feature, the bestinbeds.com.au Bill Green Free For All.

The gelding was terrific first up when he came from the back row for second in the Merino Cup at Goulburn.

He'll be improved by that hitout and should get every chance from the ace draw so goes on top.

Cantfindabettorman placed from a wide barrier at this circuit two back then was edged out by a nose when off the back line last start at Bathurst.

He has been freshened since but was kept up to the mark with a trial win and is rarely out of the placings at this circuit.

Line Up is back in form, winning in a slick time two back at Goulburn before a brave third in the Merino Cup last start.

He is yet to miss a place at this circuit and distance so must rate as a contender.

Line Up.
Line Up. Picture: Harness Racing New South Wales

Racing and Sports