Thrilled Pacing for Pink organisers are optimistic they'll be able to bowl over previous fundraising records when cricketing legend Glenn McGrath attends the May 8 feature at Shepparton.

The face of the McGrath Foundation, who's taken the fifth most Test wickets of all-time, will mingle with patrons at the race day and has donated a signed cricket bat to be auctioned.

A bumper 12-race card has been confirmed for the Mother's Day meeting, with two female-only drivers races among the highlights on the track. One of those features has been named the Glenn McGrath Pace.

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Pacing for Pink coordinator and trainer/driver Donna Castles said the organisation was “over the moon to have Glenn McGrath able to attend this year”.

“He will be signing autographs and handing out cricket gear to people on the day,” she said.

His attendance has fueled hopes this year's campaign could be the biggest yet, having started as a one-off race day at Cobram 11 years ago to raise funds for the McGrath Foundation.

It has grown year on year and now has drivers wearing sponsored pink pants for all of May.

“It has just been amazing the way everyone has gotten behind it,” Castles said.

“This year we have been able to go outside Victoria and drivers from other states have come on board and for the first time we will have around 160 drivers across Australia wearing the pink pants in May.”

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The campaign raised more than $65,000 last year thanks to sponsors, donors and the main fundraiser at Shepparton.

This year’s May 8 feature race day promises to be a fun-filled afternoon and families will have even more reason to celebrate.

“Our main race day also happens to be Mother's Day this year, so we have a number of dining packages as well as marquees that people can book to enjoy a day out with mum at the trots and support the McGrath Foundation.”

Castles has been one of the main driving forces behind the fundraiser, a movement that's very personal for her having battled breast cancer.

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Along with Margaret Watson, she dares to dream they could top last year's fundraising efforts.

“The support we have received from businesses and individuals donating raffle items or sponsoring drivers just blows you away each year,” she said.

“We have also had Club Menangle generously offer to donate $200 for every pink pants win at Menangle, every female-trained winner as well as every win by the number eight during May.

“We would love to see as many people as possible at Shepparton on May 8. We have a fantastic committee of Marg as well as Stacey Towers and Juanita Breen who that put so much work in behind the scenes to make sure it is a success and we can’t wait for it to kick off again.”

To get involved in the campaign contact Margaret Watson on 0409 401 189 or click here to go to Pacing for Pink's Facebook page.

LISTEN TO WATSON SPEAK WITH TOBY MCKINNON ON TROTSLIFE BELOW:

Picture courtesy of the McGrath Foundation.