Harness Racing Victoria HERO Program Ambassador Smudge Bromac will spearhead a charity fundraiser to benefit Motor Neurone Disease Victoria.

The popular pacer wears dual ambassadorial hats, promoting standardbred life-after-racing and campaigning for MND awareness in memory of his part-owner, John Brain, who sadly passed away from the deadly disease.

The event will be held at Shepparton's Kialla Paceway on Friday, April 26, to coincide with the running of the 2019 John Brain Memorial Pace and Shepparton Trotters’ Cup.

Pictured is Smudge Bromac with caretaker Sue Terry. Picture by Issie Hill

Organisers have set a fundraising target of $2500, principally through the sale of double-seater sulky rides with Smudge Bromac, a 209-start veteran who won 36 races and $460,000 in prizemoney and fellow HERO Ambassador Waikare Aristocrat, whose 69 starts as a trotter netted 15 wins and $124,000 in prizemoney.

Patrons will also be invited to make a gold-coin donation to MND at the gate in lieu of entry, purchase MND merchandise and support a special effort, offering a hamper of Hygain animal health care products as first prize.

In each of the evening’s races, with the permission of connections, the number one horse will carry MND promotional colours to highlight the cause.

“The HERO Program is very proud to be co-ordinating and promoting this event,” manager Tanya McDermott said.

“In addition to Smudge Bromac and Waikare Aristocrat, we will have the recently adopted HERO ambassador Suave Stuey Lombo on course, and a number of our supporters are donating their time to assist on the night,” she said.

“Smudge is a valued member of the HERO team and we take every possible opportunity to highlight his important role as an official MND ambassador in parallel with his life-after-racing work.

“The horse is an equine rock star and has enormous drawing power.

“I feel sure that people will jump at the opportunity to sit behind him in a double-seater sulky, accompanied by one of our leading drivers.”

MND Victoria Fundraising Officer Daniel Woodrow is likewise looking forward to the fundraiser.

“We are always keen to explore new opportunities to both raise MND awareness and generate much needed funds," he said.

“Our organisation has been working in the field for almost 40 years and we have a proud track record of providing tangible support and assistance where it is most needed.

“This race meeting is a step into unchartered territory for MND Victoria and we’re grateful to both the HERO Program and Shepparton Harness Racing Club for their innovation and enthusiasm."

MND is the name given to a group of diseases in which the nerve cells (neurons) controlling the muscles that enable a human to move, speak, breathe and swallow fail to work normally.

With no nerves to activate them, muscles gradually weaken and waste. The patterns of weakness vary from person to person.

At any given time in Victoria, MND affects around 400 people. There is no known cure.

MND Victoria provides and promotes the best possible care and support for people living with MND and funds MND research.

The organisation has two key mottos:  'Until there’s a cure, there’s care' and 'Never give up'.

For more information about the April 26 race meeting, or to purchase a double-seater sulky ride for $200 with all proceeds going to MND Victoria, please visit the HRV HERO Facebook page, email hero@hrv.org.au or phone 0407 413 156 during business hours.