A Team Teal triple
Female drivers launched the 2023 Big V Team Teal campaign with a triple bang at Horsham on Wednesday last week.
Hamilton horsewoman Jackie Barker opened proceedings when piloting Underattack to an all-the-way victory in the $7000 The Weekly Advertiser Maiden Pace for her grandfather Jim Barker.
The chestnut deserved to break through after finishing second at his two previous outings.
Heathcote reinswoman Shannon O’sullivan was next on the board with seven-year-old mare The Stylist for Mt Gambier owner-trainer Michael Glynn in the $7000 Carbine Chemicals Pace.
It was a welcome return to the winner’s circle for the consistent performer and came up at ‘lucky 13’ starts and eight minor placings since her last success.
Kerryn Manning completed the Team Teal treble in the $8000 Kids Free Cup Fun 26-2 Pace with fouryear-old Jet Rock. The Merv and Meg Butterworth bred and owned gelding appreciated a return to easier company to post his fourth win from 20 starts.
The Womencan Team Teal campaign runs from the start of February until March 15.
During this period, every Team Teal winner in Victoria sees Harness Racing Victoria and wagering partner Tabcorp donate $200 to the state’s fundraising tally, with similar schemes operating in each harness jurisdiction.
All female drivers in Australia and New Zealand wear teal-coloured driving pants during the campaign, as do the ‘Clerks Of The Course’ and recently some of the pony trot girls are proudly sporting the colours.
The Team Teal campaign has, to date, raised more than $2.5 million for women with ovarian and other gynaecological cancers.
From its humble beginnings in 2014, the campaign has now spread to each of Australia’s harness racing states and both islands of New Zealand.
Funds raised contribute to the Womencan, Survivors Teaching Students Program and their patient referral network, which enables women to have access to cutting edge treatments regardless of where they live.
Sugars steals the race
Terang trainer Mattie Craven combined with ace reinsman Greg Sugars to land a winner at Horsham, with five-year-old gelding Hes A Cool Mach in the $9000 Cup Day Dining Book at West Side Pace.
Sugars quickly crossed to the pegs at the start with Hes A Cool Mach then stole the race as he led the field at a pedestrian tempo through more than half of the 2200 metre journey, leaving plenty in the tank for a ripping 27.1 second final quarter and setting an impossible task for the chasers.
Hes A Cool Mach was bred by Wayne Shulze, of Jeparit, and is raced on lease to the TED Syndicate, which comprises 15 members and their families from throughout the Wimmera and Southern Mallee.