Mickey is Oh so fine ahead of a Vic debut

Tasmanian harness racing raider, Mickey Oh (Ark Breeze) is set to make his debut on Victorian soil when he lines up in The Argent Free For All on Saturday night at Melton Entertainment Park.

The Matthew Howlett-trained pacer has amassed over $245,000 in just 34 starts with the five-year-old taking out this year’s Devonport Cup.

Howlett, 28, was forced to weigh up his options before sending the pacer north.

“The last couple of races, haven’t held up down here (Tasmania),” Howlett said.

“The races have fallen through, and the other races weren’t really suitable for him and he had a backmarker over the short distance.

“It was either we send him to the paddock or send him over and see what we can do.”

The son of Ark Breeze will have a few runs in Victoria before targeting Tasmania biggest features to round out 2024.

“He will be over there (Victoria) for a couple of runs (for) probably two or three weeks,” he said.

“My dad (Chris Howlett) is over there with him, and he is staying at Alex Ashwood’s place. We thought we would take him over and see how he goes.

“We will bring him back for the big races over here through Christmas and New Year.”

The five-year-old is no stranger to travel, making the trip to Menangle for The Singo to qualify for the 2023 Eureka.

“He has been to New South Wales, last year. He is all good in Victoria and he is a pretty relaxed customer and not much fazes him,” he said.

“He is a pretty tough customer who doesn’t mind running along.”

Mickey Oh has drawn five for Saturday night’s $22,500 event with Howlett set to pilot the gelding.

“He was always going to draw around there and he can push forward and hopefully he can push forward and get near the front,” he said.

The Argent Free For All is set to go at 8.15pm.

For complete race entries, click here

by Lachlan Mitchell, for Harness Racing Victoria