Muscle flexed in Inter Dominion qualifier

A perfect trip was all Lotamuscle needed to claim tonight’s second Inter Dominion heat for the trotters at Bathurst.

With plenty of carnage in the race with five trotters galloping and the favourite Majestic man dropping out, it was up to Lotamuscle to cause the upset at starting odds of $10.

Sitting perfectly behind the leader, Majestic Man, Lotamuscle’s good behaviour and ability made him rise to the top clocking the $20,000 qualifier in 1:57.5.

Trained and driven by Matthew Craven, the five-year-old gelding was angled up the track heading into the home turn and burst to the lead to hold off Just Believe by a neck with the final two splits run in 28.6 and 29.2 seconds.

“We got a lovely trip,” said Craven.

“The pressure went on down the back and I went a bit earlier than what I wanted too.

“I was rapt with the run.

“We had a lovely draw and a lovely trip behind the leader and that was the key to winning this race.”

This victory gave sire Muscle Hill and Inter Dominion heat race-to-race double, with his son Timothy Red winning the race earlier.

As for Lotamuscle, he was purchased by a big group of Craven’s clients out of New Zealand and began racing in Australia last December.

“The reason we bought him was because we thought he would suit the (Inter Dominion) series,” said Craven.

“He won a Derby as a three-year-old and just loves following speed.

“There are a lot owners with small shares in this horse and they will get a huge thrill out of this.

“It’s lovely to get a result for them all.”

As for the race favourite Majestic Man, it was reported that driver Anthony Butt said the horse pulled hard and felt flat tonight.

Watch the replay below:

Click here to see all the results from Bathurst on Wednesday night.

By Amanda Rando for Harnesslink