Alanah tickled pink to be a part of Sunday’s super Shep racing cause

Riverina trainer-driver Alanah Pitt will renew her association with the Pacing for Pink cause at Shepparton on Sunday.

She has two starters, including in one of two female drivers’ races, which are part of the Mother’s Day fundraising race meeting for the McGrath Foundation.

The Leeton horsewoman was first involved with Pacing for Pink at Cobram a few years ago, when she initially “didn’t know much about it”.

“Donna Castles gave me a pair of pink (driving) pants and they’ll be out again on Sunday,” Pitt said.

_{Picture courtesy of Racing Queensland}

Castles co-ordinates Pacing for Pink, which started as a one-off race day at Cobram 11 years ago to raise funds for the McGrath Foundation.

It is now a statewide program with female and male drivers racing in pink pants to raise money and awareness around breast cancer.

Pitt and her partner, driver Adam Richardson, do not make a lot of trips across the Murray, but she is more than happy to on this occasion for the special day.

“It’s great to be able to support it,” the 25-year-old said. “We like to race in Victoria. We try to get to Cobram as much as possible. The horses have to be good enough though.”

Pitt has stable newcomer Monterei Heaven engaged in the second of the female drivers’ races, the Angelique Club Pace.

Although this will be the five-year-old’s first start as part of her 17-strong team, Pitt is quite familiar with him, having driven him throughout his career including to three victories.

“I have a good connection with the horse,” she said. “I love him.”

Pitt has trialled him once and while Monterei Heaven has not raced since August last year he was already in work when he arrived at her stable about a month ago.

“It’s hard to gauge exactly where he is, we’ll see how we go.”

She said still being eligible for part of a Vicbred bonus was a further attraction to go to Shepparton.

Pitt also has King Of Trumps engaged in the Hicks Stables & Steel Constructions Pace, with Richardson to take the drive.

“He’s been running some super races,” she said. “He’s only lightly raced and is progressing quite well. He’s still learning how to be a race horse.”

As a special feature, Sunday’s race meeting will be attended by Australian cricket legend and McGrath Foundation founder Glenn McGrath.

MORE: Glenn McGrath to help Shepparton turn pink for trots fundraiser