It’s not just the female drivers that are sporting the special silks during the 2021 Team Teal campaign.
All clerks of the course across the state have swapped the traditional red jacket for the teal colours as they carry out their roles at race meetings during the February 1-March 14 fundraising period.
One of those is Casey Parker, who is a regular at Warragul, Cranbourne, Yarra Valley and Melton.
Parker, who works part-time in the role, said it was good to be supporting the joint venture between Harness Racing Victoria and Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group.
She currently trains two horses for the job, her beloved stablemates Donny and Pom.
“I just use Donny at the trials at the moment and Pom at the races,” she said.
“It’s a different type of training. It took me a long time to get one to the point where it’s not just calm at the races but useful.
“I’d really like every opportunity I can get.”
Throughout the Team Teal campaign, all female drivers in Victoria wear teal pants to raise awareness and much-needed funds for ovarian cancer research and programs. For every winner they pilot, HRV and wagering partner Tabcorp commit $200 each to deliver $400 towards key initiatives.
Team Teal was created by Duncan McPherson OAM who lost his wife Lyn to ovarian cancer in 2010.
The 2021 fundraising effort has moved inside the last week, with well over $30,000 chalked up from winning drives in Victoria.
Jodi Quinlan, Kate Gath, Kerryn Manning and Jackie Barker are once again ambassadors for HRV and have all been prolific during the campaign with more than 30 victories between them since February 1.
Of course, Team Teal runs nationally and even in New Zealand.
