Pink Galahs, Lotamuscle to compete in 2021 Inter Dominion grand final

Ecklin South trainer Mattie Craven has two trotters - Lotamuscle and Pink Galahs - in the Inter Dominion grand final at Menangle (NSW) on Saturday night.

It's only his second Inter Dominion campaign after he had pacer Can't Refuse in 2018.

"It's a bit of a challenge with three runs in one week and then a final," he said.

"It's very exciting just to have horses good enough to be part of it."

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There are 12 runners and two emergencies for the trotters $150,000 final. Lotamuscle has barrier 10 and Pink Galahs has seven.

Arvidsson, Craven's partner, has the job on Lotamuscle in the race which encompasses competitors from Australia and New Zealand.

It's her debut in what she calls "the most prestigious race to win".

Arvidsson has gained a plethora of experiences since gaining her metropolitan class licence last year.

"You still learn every time you go out there and I don't think that will ever change," she said.

"It's important so you keep improving.

"There are a lot of highs and lows and you take the highs when get them."

She feels confident she can drive well and is familiar with Lotamuscle.

She drove the bay gelding to a second place at Melton a month ago and to a Melton victory in September.

Lotamuscle has shown plenty of promise during the series and claimed first in the second heat at Bathhurst on Wednesday. Craven was in the sulky that night.

Arvidsson noted the win was a massive thrill for the runner's 30-odd owners and many are heading to Menangle to watch the race in-person.

She's thrilled there'll be a contingent there cheering for her and the six-year-old.

"It's pretty cool actually because Pink Galahs also has a big fan club," she said.

Arvidsson said Lotamuscle had been trotting consistently.

"He's been going really well when racing down in Melbourne, he's hitting the line super strong but hasn't had a lot of luck in his runs," she said.

She said Lotamuscle and Pink Galahs entered the Inter Dominion series a bit underdone and had both improved with each race.

Craven will drive Pink Galahs.

The 2020 Victoria Trotters Derby winner took two thirds and a second from the heats.

"She's gone really well each run through the heats, she hasn't had ideal trips, she probably sat outside the leader a couple of times," he said.

"Her trips through haven't been ideal but her runs have been pretty good - just not quite good enough to win.

"Leading into final, we're really happy with where she's at."

Craven said both horses had local connections. Pink Galahs is co-owned by Caleb and Laura Lewis and Laura's father Bryan Healy.

Lotamuscle has plenty of south-west owners with small shares.

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