Team Teal is the Australian and New Zealand harness racing industry's annual partnership with WomenCAN to raise awareness and valuable funds for ovarian cancer.

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Throughout February and the first two weeks of March, all female drivers wear teal-coloured pants, striving to be first across the line to secure donations from harness racing controlling bodies, betting partners and other sponsors.

For the past three years, the Bendigo Harness Racing Club's fundraising endeavours have garnered great support from the neighbouring greyhound club.

With a new general manager on board in Charlton Hindle, that support will continue this year, with both clubs hosting meetings on Thursday, February 10.

In what is a relatively rare dual-code event, the harness racing club will run at least eight races, featuring heats of the Lyn McPherson Memorial Breed for Speed Bronze Series, named in honour of the woman who inspired the Team Teal concept and whose husband Duncan McPherson OAM has been the driving force.

Next door, the BGRA will run a 12-race, all-bitches program.

To kickstart this year's funding, the harness racing club is pledging funds for every female-driven winner on the night, while the BGRA is committing $50 for every female-trained winner during the month of February.

BHRC general manager Erik Hendrix said the club was looking to entice nine to a dozen race name sponsors at $400 a pop, with a package including race naming rights, two tickets to the Team Teal private function, to be held in the greyhound club's newly renovated Trackside bar, with a two-course dinner and drinks and guest speakers.

Individual tickets to the private function are $80 and can be purchased through either club.

Those not attending on the night but wanting to donate money can visit BHRC.com.au or Bendigo.grv.org.au and follow the link.

Race night entry is by gold coin donation.

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Patrons are reminded they must be double vaccinated and QR upon entry.

Hindle said his club was thrilled to be offering an all-female dog race program on the night in line with the theme.

"Having a race card for bitches only is a perfect fit for an event such as Team Teal and the club is excited to be a part of such a special campaign," he said.

"We had a preference for a bitches race meeting not too long ago (last year) and at short notice managed to run eight races consisting of bitches only, so with a good lead in time we are confident of getting 12 races."

On the racetrack, a record tally of 113 Team Teal winners last season was strongly bolstered by Bendigo region drivers, with Junortoun-based Ellen Tormey leading all participants with 21 wins.

Heathcote's Shannon O'Sullivan and Charlton's Denbeigh Wade each scored five wins and Tayla French three.

Read more: Ellen Tormey terrific in teal

Hendrix said hopes were high the Bendigo region ranks would again excel, with Tormey and French, in particular, in brilliant form to start the new season.

Tormey - sitting second on the state driver's premiership - has 12 wins so far this season, while French has six after steering the Shaun McNaulty-trained first-starter Pesci to victory at Lord's Raceway on Thursday night.

Team Teal patron Duncan McPherson is hoping this year's campaign will be an opportunity for the racing industry to raise the profile of ovarian cancer to an even greater audience than in previous years.

"With increased community interest in the sport of harness racing during and now post COVID-19 lockdowns, #GetRealSupportTeal will be front and foremost in our messaging," he said.

"There is no doubt that the efforts of our industry as a collective since 2010 have made a difference to women and families impacted by this insidious disease, as we strive to raise awareness of ovarian cancer and funds to support WomenCan and their Survivors Teaching Students program and their funding of research nurses.

Since 2010, Team Teal has raised more than $2 million in Australia and New Zealand.

This year's campaign runs from February 1 to March 15.

Ellen Tormey 21

Kate Gath 17

Kerryn Manning 12

Laura Crossland 7

Jodi Quinlan 6

Jackie Barker 5

Monique Burnett 5

Shannon O'Sullivan 5

Denbeigh Wade 5

Olivia Weidenbach 5

Lisa Miles 4

Anne-Maree Conroy 3

Tayla French 3

Juanita Breen 2

Rita Burnett 2

Danielle Hill 2

Codi Rauchenberger 2

Abbey Turnbull 2

Donna Castles 1

Taylor Ford 1

Emma Hamblin 1

Kathy Watson 1

Michelle Wight 1

Total: 113 winners

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