16 March 2022 | Jordan Gerrans
By Jordan Gerrans
The Team Teal period of every year is a time Queensland driver Taleah McMullen always looks forward to and she certainly put on a show in the sulky in 2022.
The band of female drivers in the Sunshine State racked up $13,600 worth of winners for the Team Teal campaign this year, with the money donated to raise funds for ovarian cancer research.
The 20-year-old reinswoman, McMullen, accounted for a large portion of the donation – driving 22 winners over the six week campaign.
McMullen hit a hot streak in the final week of the campaign, driving eight winners, and is proud to see her work on the track produce much needed funds for ovarian cancer research.
“It is always good to get winners and it is even better to do it when you are wearing the teal pants,” McMullen said.
“It is great to raise as much money as we can, it is much needed funds for the cause.
“I have got a bit of luck of late with winners – that always helps – I need to take it while I can.
“It was great to have a little patch of winners while in the teal pants.”
Taleah’s older sister – Narissa McMullen – was the best performed driver over the six weeks last year and finished second in total victories in 2022, collecting 15.
Narissa was a Team Teal ambassador this year, as was Chloe Butler, who drove in 10 winners.
According to Taleah, the female drivers and other industry participants really get behind the Team Teal campaign every year.
“I think all the female drivers look forward to putting the pants on, they stand out and it is always something different to just normal racing,” she said.
“I really enjoy it and all the other girls to I think.
“I think owners and trainers get behind it as well, I have had owners speak to me after I have won on their horses and they were glad money was being donated to a cause like this.
“They loved it as well.”
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.
“Hopefully we can go bigger again next year.”
The Team Teal campaign has grown in popularity in recent years.
Across six weeks in February and March each year, all reinswomen race in teal pants 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.
Racing Queensland in conjunction with the Albion Park and Redcliffe Harness Racing Clubs donated $200 each time a race was won by a reinswomen.
Click here for more information on the Team Teal campaign.
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