Dani Hill with her Teal Pants sponsor Gordon Carter
IN A magnificent display of charity, all reinswomen contesting last night’s Globe Derby program have donated their driving fees as a final gesture to the Teal Pants campaign.
The meeting marked the end of the nation-wide fundraiser, which began on February 1 to raise money and awareness for the Women’s Cancer Foundation – Ovarian Institute.
Funds are raised via each win by a reinswoman, with the various state governing bodies, along with corporate sponsors, donating a set amount per victory.
After 39 days, Australia’s leading ladies won an incredible 288 races, netting more than $110,000 for the tremendous cause.
South Australia’s squad did a marvellous job, headed by premier horsewoman Dani Hill who notched an amazing 32 wins to not only lead the local crew, but the national table as well.
From just 14 race meetings since the campaign, Hill has made her way into the winners’ circle during 12 of the programs.
With her latest haul a quintet last night – Hill’s tally is sitting on 32 wins!
Thrilled with her five winners, Hill was quick to share the spotlight.
“To get winners at this time of the year when it’s for charity is just amazing,” Hill said. “I’m so lucky to be in the middle of a purple patch to help with the numbers and raising money.
“For every reinswoman in Australia to be part of the Teal Pants team and get 288 wins it’s just phenomenal.
“To top it off, all us girls have donated our driving fees from last night and to be part of such a great team is very heart warming.”
Harness Racing SA chairman Chris Hartwig was full of praise for the effort and generosity shown within the state.
“I’m so proud of our reinswomen for the work they have done during the entire campaign,” Hartwig said. “They have kept the winners coming and certainly done a great job for a wonderful cause.
“To finish off the campaign by donating their driving fees on the final night speaks volumes for their character and what the campaign means to each of them.
“We also had the Kemp family, which sponsored last night’s Cup, make a donation, which is terrific.”
For the record, Hill is one of 13 drivers to register a quintet in South Australia and one of eight to do so on more than one occasion.
The great Kevin Brook was the first to complete a quintet when he stole the show at Port Pirie on January 16, 1958.
Since then Mark Billinger, Matthew Craven, Jayson Finnis, Kate Gath, David Harding, Hill, Wayne Hill, Ryan Hryhorec, Lance Justice, Ross Sugars, Peter Thompson and Geoff Webster have followed suit.
Finnis, David, Wayne Hill, Justice, Hryhorec, Sugars and Webster have achieved the milestone numerous times.
