HOWLETT CLAN OH SO EXCITED FOR MICKEY’S FUTURE
HARNESS trainer Chris Howlett has had his share of major success over four decades, but the arrival of a youngster named Mickey Oh has put extra spring in his step this year.
Mickey Oh capped a brilliant twoyear-old season with an effortless win in the $50,000 Dandy Patch Sires Stakes final over 2090m at Elwick on Thursday night to take his earnings to almost $50,000.
He has started five times for four wins and a second, but the wins included the Sweepstakes-Dandy Patch double, the two principal juvenile harness races in Tasmania.
“This horse has not only been good for me but good for my family,” Howlett said.
When a horse ventures into Howlett’s stables at Brighton, it becomes a member of the harness family that comprises Chris and his three sons Justin, Braden and Matthew, who all have made a fist of the game as reinsmen, though Matthew has enjoyed
the most success on the track and has partnered Mickey Oh in all his wins.
“Family is everything to us and that’s why we share the load around and that makes it all the more enjoyable,” Chris Howlett said.
Mickey Oh was bought by Howlett
at the Tasmanian Yearling Sale last year for $16,000 and is owned by Chris and Matthew Howlett, along with prominent owner-breeder Elliott Booth, who each have a one-third share.
“I was keen to buy this horse at the sale because he is well-related to a family
line that I have had a lot to do with, so when Elliott Booth, who has most of his horses with us, said he also was interested in the youngster we decided to go in him together,” Howlett said.
Mickey Oh has been very impressive in winning his past three, which encouraged an offer from West Australian interests.
“We’ve had a genuine six-figure offer for the horse [Mickey Oh], so we obviously have to consider it, but this horse is giving us a lot of joy, and money isn’t everything,’’ Howlett said.
“Matthew is keen to progress as a trainer and this horse has sparked his interest and Elliott is also keen to keep him going with us, but we’ve got a bit of time to make up our minds on the offer.”
Mickey Oh is by Canadian sire Racing Hill from Ark Breeze, who is from Ark Drifter, one of Dennis Mahoney’s breeding line, as well as being related to Bruce Usher’s breed.
Howlett said Mickey Oh would be sent for a spell owing to there being nothing left on the calendar in his age group for which he is eligible.
“The Golden Slipper is on next month, but my horse doesn’t qualify because he’s won too many races, so we have no option but to tip him out,” he said.