Flametree fires in the WA Country Oaks

Wednesday August 30 marked the running of the 2023 $30,000 WASBA WA Country Oaks at Bunbury, with handy filly Flametree (Huntsville) taking the harness racing feature for Barry Howlett and Mitch Miller.

Doing plenty in the run, the three-year-old overcame locking wheels on the home turn to steam home to win bravely by a head on the line in 2:00:8 over the 2569m staying trip.

“I thought she had done too much early, especially over the longer trip to finish off, but she toughed it out really well.” Mitch Miller said.

Purchased by the Howlett family at the APG yearling sales back in 2021 for $40,000, her list of accomplishments continues to grow after taking out the Gr3 Gold Bracelet, Gr2 Gold Bullion, a heat of the Diamond Classic as well as running third in the Gr1 Westbred Classic for the fillies in her two-year-old season, before heading out for a spell in September 2022.

Making her return in March, she has raced consistently in the three-year-old races, with a win in her 3YO Gold Bullion Heat as well taking out a heat of the 3YO Diamond Classic, before finishing in third placing in the final.

Training from their Busselton property, Barry Howlett has experience plenty of joy and success over the years, with his total winners now sitting at 511. Experiencing group 1 glory four times now, Katie Howlett made mention that the Country Oaks is a race that is close to their heart, with the family enjoying some good success over the years, with this year no exception.

“Mitch did a great job to get her tangled and into a clear run, and thanks also to WASBA, their support of the breeding side of things is exceptional.”

FLAMETREE REPLAY

Owning her half-sister Dancing With Mach, the Howlett family are fans of the family, with their dam Party Dance (an earner of $256,000 herself) a proven racehorse herself, she has gone on to produce in the breeding barn as well, with her producing Bettor Party ($351,417), Rocknroll Whitby ($257,191), and Pierre Whitby ($204,127) just to name a few.

“Pip (Flametree) is only a light framed, smaller thing, she had a bit of sass and spunk about her, which fillies need,”

“She’s had a couple of niggles here and there and can get really worked up and nervous on race day but will likely mature into a nice race mare,

“We’re really proud of what she’s achieved so far.” Part-owner Katie Howlett said

For complete race results, click here.

by Ashleigh Paikos, for RWWA