The 2024 Pacing for Pink campaign, which supports the McGrath Foundation, has officially drawn to a close at Club Menangle after raising $7,271 throughout May.
Across the month, Club Menangle donated for success on the track, with a $200 donation made for every win by a driver wearing the pink pants, trained by a female trainer or carrying the Number 8 saddlecloth.
From success on the track 27 “pink’’ wins were recorded at Club Menangle.
The local Menangle Park based team of Lucky Lodge were the most successful stable throughout the campaign, with KerryAnn Morris training six and driving four winners.
Robert Morris also secured two driving wins in the pink pants.
“This is the third consecutive year we have participated in the Pacing for Pink campaign, and again it is great to see the harness racing community unite for such an important cause,’’ said Bruce Christison, the Club Menangle chief executive officer.
“It is a wonderful achievement to have 27 donations made from success on the track.
“Club Menangle would also like to thank and congratulate our participants, sponsors, and guests who supported Pacing for Pink this year.’’
Saturday, May 4 was the most successful night on the track, with six pink winners recorded at the Schweppes Pacing for Pink race night.
This was the inaugural running of the new feature racing program featuring four group ones, which included the Pryde’s Easifeed Queen Elizabeth II Mile, John Gibson Memorial NSW Oaks, Slingsby Holdings Macarthur Mile Trotting Mares and Haras des Trotteurs NSW Trotters Oaks.
The Sky Racing Tanyia Harris OAM Lady Drivers Invitational also featured on the card and was taken out by Chloe Formosa donning the pink pants aboard the Rickie Alchin trained Montalbano.
Off the track, Club Menangle also hosted the inaugural A Pink Affair charity dinner to raise additional funds for Pacing for Pink.
Guests were treated to a bespoke pink menu while also hearing from McGrath breast care nurse Vicky Bell about the work of the foundation across Australia.
Sky Racing presenter Brittany Graham was the guest tipster for the evening, and Sofia Arvidsson was profiled about her career in harness racing as a trainer and driver.
“Club Menangle’s Schweppes Pacing for Pink race night was really special this year and it certainly helped to raise the profile of the campaign in NSW and the work of the McGrath Foundation,” said Pacing for Pink coordinator Marg Watson.
McGrath Foundation have 223 breast care nurses across Australia and have supported 137,000 families since 2005.
“We are so appreciative of community supporters like Pacing for Pink who help the McGrath Foundation work towards our mission of ensuring that no one goes through breast cancer without the support of a breast care nurse,’’ says Tracy Bevan, Ambassador and director of the McGrath Foundation.
“Thank you to all who supported this year’s campaign.’’
