A cut above the rest!

Working in the horse breaking game can bring its share of close shaves – but Victorian harness racing identity Tania Ward was happy her recent close encounter was all for a good cause.

Tania, who is based at Invergordon, near Shepparton, decided to go with the shaved look, sacrificing her long locks to raise funds for the Pacing For Pink May campaign.

“I’m not saying it suits me, but it doesn’t look as bad as I was thinking it might!” Tania laughed.

“I’m really good mates with Donna Castles and Jane Pekin who are in the group around here who each year work tirelessly for the McGrath Foundation,” she said.

“When I told them about my plan, they had nothing but encouragement and I’ve been overwhelmed by all the support.”

Australian cricketing great and McGrath Foundation co-founder Glenn McGrath had the clippers on hand at the Pacing for Pink Day on Mothers Day at Shepparton and Tania’s friend Joan Lukies rattled the tin throughout the day.

“Initially I thought it would be awesome if I could raise $1000. But the donations kept coming in on the day and throughout the week, and I’ve now raised $4000, which I’m rapt about,” Tania said.

And what comes around, goes around, it seems. Tania and her husband Ian were in the winner’s circle during the meeting, taking out the Keatings Freight Line Pace with Del Port (Bettor’s Delight – Kathleens Passport (Lotsa Clout), driven by Laura Crossland.

“He’s had lots of issues, so it was great to cheer him home,” she said.

Tania, who has retired from race driving after eight years, works at home with Ian, who is a renowned horse breaker. The Wards have seen plenty of horses go on and leave their mark after “learning the ropes” under their watchful eye, perhaps among the most notable, Bellas Delight, FourBigMen, Alpha Male, Cover Of Darkness and Hardhitter.

“I do get attached to them and treat them like our own kids, but it’s great to watch them during their race careers,” she said.

“We’re training just two racehorses, but there’s 14 babies. Ian has done it all his life and I think I was about 18 when I first started helping dad (Peter Haag) educate them.”

Peter Haag, who trained horses, but never drove, was regarded as a fine conditioner. He died 22 years ago.

Tania said when she was a young girl, she got her hair cut short on only one occasion.

“It nearly broke dad’s heart. It wasn’t real, real short or anything, but he wouldn’t talk to me there for a bit! I think he’d be a bit happier this time around and looking down with a smile because it’s for a great cause.”

Donations can be made throughout the month of May direct to the Pacing for Pink account BSB 013575 Account: 425348811 (reference Tania Ward).

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink