RQ celebrates big Team Teal donations in 2021

By Jordan Gerrans

Queensland drivers have bettered their efforts from the 2020 Team Teal campaign with over $15,000 donated to raise funds for ovarian cancer research on Saturday night.

Across six weeks in February and March each year, $200 was donated by Racing Queensland in conjunction with the Albion Park and Redcliffe Harness Racing Clubs every time a Queensland reinswoman drove a winner in the Sunshine State.

All reinswomen donned teal pants over the designated period to raise awareness and much-needed funds for ovarian cancer research to support the Research Nurse Grant Program and the Survivors Teaching Students education and prevention program.

The Queensland-based drivers improved on their efforts from 12 months ago, with 76 winners saluting resulting in $15,200 being donated.

That figure is $400 more than what was raised in 2020.

A cheque for the $15,200 was presented to Jenny Stone, who was representing WomenCan, on Saturday evening at Albion Park.

WomenCan fundraises for the Australia and New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group which is the leading clinical trials research organisation for gynaecological cancer in Australia and New Zealand.

Narissa McMullen was the best performed driver over the six weeks, collecting 17 winners to take overall honours.

McMullen edged out her fast-finishing sister Dannielle Veivers on 16 winners, with fellow sister and Team Teal ambassador Taleah McMullen finishing third with 14.

Chloe Butler, who was also an ambassador this year, was also able to go into double figures with 12 winners over the period.

In total, 11 different drivers picked up winners that contributed to the total.

The February 20 meeting proved to be the most prolific for the initiative, with six going past the post first, four going the way of Narissa McMullen in an impressive display.

On that one night alone, $1,200 was raised.

In the Team Teal Female Driver Invitation pace from Albion Park on Saturday evening, Onya Doug finished down the outside to get up at massive odds for Wayne Graham and driver Megan Gee.

Racing Queensland’s Senior Racing Manager for Harness David Brick said it was an honour for the state body to be involved in the successful Team Teal campaign in recent years.

“Two out of three women die from ovarian cancer and as Racing Queensland, we are delighted to be associated with such a great cause," Brick said.

“I have to thank to Albion Park, Redcliffe and the Mini Trot Clubs that were able make this happen.

“Thanks also to Jenny and WomenCan, we were proud to have you on-course to collect the cheque.

“It is excellent that we were able to raise more than 2020 and hopefully we can go bigger again next year.”

The Team Teal campaign was created by Duncan McPherson OAM, who lost his wife Lyn to ovarian cancer in 2010.

Click here for more information on the Team Teal campaign.