Pink Galahs a chance to race in Inter Dominion

Ecklin South harness racing trainer Mattie Craven will keep star trotter Pink Galahs’ legs ticking over before beginning preparations for her Inter Dominion Championship tilt.

The four-year-old, who is fresh off winning the Bill Collins Trotters Sprint for the second straight year, will race in Victoria before, restrictions permitting, heading north for the New South Wales-based series.

“Going forward it will just be a few races to keep her ticking over the next month and then the real goal will be the Inter Dominion through the end of November into early December,” Craven said of his plans for the star mare.

 NARROW WIN: Mattie Craven (red) drives Pink Galahs to victory in the Bill Collins Trotters Sprint at Bendigo on Saturday night. Stuart McCormick Photo

“COVID permitting we can get there but more so get home from Sydney.

“Ideally, we want to get to Sydney for the Inter Dominion.

The Inter Dominion Championship is Australasia’s greatest harness racing event. It involves three rounds of two qualifying heats and a final with a share of a $500,000 prize on offer in the series.

The first heat will take place on Saturday, November 27 at Menangle before moving to Bathurst on Wednesday, December 1 and then to Newcastle on Sunday, November 5. The final will take place at Menangle on Saturday, December 11.

The first heat is over 2400 metres, the second is 1730 metres and the third is 2030 metres. The final will be ran over 3009 metres.

Points are awarded for starting and finishing a qualifying heat. The top 12 point scorers after the heats earn a spot in the grand final.

Craven said the heats being conducted over a short period would be a real test but believes Pink Galahs, who is owned by Portland’s Caleb and Laura Lewis, could thrive in the format.

The south-west trainer said he gets quite emotional when his star trotter, which has 17 wins from her 34 starts and more than $300,000 in prizemoney, races.

“I get quite emotional when she wins as she is different to most horses for a number of reasons and she has got a bit of a different back story,” he said.

“She is not a typical, good looking race horse.

“She is small and plain and has had a few niggles and has had a few problems along the way but she finds a way and has a will to race and win.”

Craven will saddle up three horses from his stable at Tuesday night’s meeting at Terang Harness Racing Club.

Regal Reggae (race one), imported trotter Sunny Petite (race six) and October Reign (race seven) will hit the track for Craven.

Eight races are set down on the program – including three-year-old and two-year-old maiden paces – for the club’s monthly meeting.

The first race of the night starts at 6.05pm with the last to run at 9.30pm.

By Sean Hardeman

Reprinted with permission of The Standard