Thornley gets Team Teal off to winning start

Team Teal is off the mark for 2023.

The annual campaign to raise money for ovarian cancer research started at Oamaru this afternoon and in the very first race first time Team Teal ambassador Gemma Thornley won with hot favourite Lizzie Richter.

It was the six-year-old mare's third win in a row for trainer Mark Jones.

Thornley is one of five Team Teal ambassadors involved this year, with the campaign running through to March 15. The other four ambassadors are Sam Ottley, Alicia Harrison, Crystal Hackett and Kirstin Green.

In Thornley's case the win will see $700 go into the kitty thanks to Harness Racing New Zealand ($100), the Oamaru Harness Racing Club ($100), Dominator Access Systems ($100), Butts Family ($30), Anne-Marie and Jack Best Racing Stables ($50), Start Afresh Limited ($100), Nevele R Stud ($150), Donna Williamson ($20) and Graham Consulting ($50).