Tasmania is ready to Teal up the track

Harness racing’s Team Teal campaign kicked off on Wednesday, and Friday’s (Feb. 3) meeting in Hobart will be the first in Tasmania during the promotional period that runs through until 15 March.

Now in its eighth year, Team Teal will see female drivers across Australia, and New Zealand wearing Teal coloured driving trousers.

Tasracing and other racing jurisdictions will donate $200 to the cause for every race won by a female driver or trainer, with various corporate sponsors jumping on board, including Tabcorp, who will match the pledge, the only exception being Western Australia, who have donated $15,000 straight up.

One of the Tasmanian trainers looking to kick off the contribution to Team Teal on Friday is Brighton based trainer Bianca Heenan.

“I’m super excited with Team Teal this year, and hopefully, I can train a few winners to add to the cause.

“I’m always happy to support Team Teal in any way I can,” said Heenan.

Heenan only has one runner engaged at the Hobart meeting, Smile Lyle (Grinfromeartoear), in race 3.

The 10-year-old gelding has won 10 races, including two of his past 10 starts.

“He’s racing in great form, I changed a few things in his work and it seems to be paying dividends.

“Plus, the driver has also been driving him less aggressively, which seems to be helping as well,” explained Heenan.

Coming up with barrier three on the second line in the rating 45 to 49 event isn’t a concern to the trainer.

“It’s not the worst draw for him and he should be hitting the line strong once again,” said Heenan, with her life partner Nathan Ford, booked for the drive.

Friday’s eight-race card commences at 18:11 and will be televised on Sky Racing 2 and TasracingTV.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Duncan Dornauf, for Tasracing