Pink pants lighting up the tracks

There’s been a sea of pink this week across Australian harness racing tracks as drivers nation-wide don pink pants for the first time.

The Pacing For Pink promotion, which raises awareness and funds for the McGrath Foundation, has this year expanded to New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia.

The initiative started in the Victorian country town of Cobram back in 2011 with the concept quickly growing in popularity and moving last year to Shepparton.

Coordinator Marg Watson said the campaign’s popularity has driven the biggest expansion yet this year.

“We were getting enquiries from drivers from other states who wanted to get on board. I got in touch with the relevant authorities, and they all jumped at it,” she said.

“It’s exciting to see so many male and female drivers now proudly wearing pink pants in the sulky throughout May, with the backing of the industry to raise money to fight against breast cancer.

“The support we’ve had from sponsors and everyone else in the industry pitching in has blown us away.”

A magnificent total of 172 drivers are taking part, with the name or logo of their generous sponsor highlighted on their pink pants.

In Victoria, Bendigo based driver Ellen Tormey chalked up the first win for the 2022 campaign when successful at Sundays Swan Hill meeting with Casting Shadow in the opening event at 5.38pm. That was about 50 minutes before Conor Crook steered Machs Mareta to victory at the Tasmania meeting conducted at Hobart.

There have since been numerous winners by the pink brigade, which augurs for a huge tally. Funds raised go to the McGrath Foundation, which funds Breast Care Nurses.

The Foundation was established in the name of Glenn McGrath’s late wife Jane, who was just 31 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

In a huge coup, Pink Day figurehead Glenn McGrath will attend this Sunday’s Shepparton Mother’s Day meeting.

“To be able to have Glenn there is so good. He will be mingling in the crowd and possibly signing a few cricket bats I’d imagine. There are no doubts that he was one of our favorite cricketers when playing for Australia,” Watson said.

“The stage is set for a terrific Mother’s Day meeting as the Shepparton community, business houses and others had been amazing in coming up with all sorts of ideas in which to get involved.

“Dining packages and marquee bookings were popular and there will be many, varied surprises in store for patrons. We’re sure the silent auction will be interesting — there’s everything from framed jockey signature pants, a red gum coffee table, autographed cricket bats and accommodation and golf packages.

“On top of this is a major raffle offering a wide array of donated items. The generosity of the harness racing family never ceases to amaze me.”

Victoria heads the list of the most drivers taking part in Pacing For Pink during May with 64. NSW has 43; WA 26; Tasmania 15; Queensland 14 and SA 10. In addition, seven Clerks of the Course have also been sponsored.

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink