Mick Channon hopes Music Show is on song at Leopardstown
Having already made one sweeping career change, to the point that there are many people who now only remember Mick Channon as a racehorse trainer, rather than an international footballer, there is always the suspicion that he could have made it as a comedian as well.
Bravo Bravo was a horse who had had his share of problems, and probably a share of everyone else’s as a two-year-old, but finally came right at Goodwood last weekend; which was a bit of a surprise as he had been beaten by the small matter of 25 lengths only two weeks before.
Explaining the moment when he was invited into the stewards’ room for tea and explanations, the irrepressible Channon, now back to his best after surviving a near-fatal car crash two years ago, said: “The stewards had me in and said ‘what about the improvement?’ And I said ‘it’s obviously the trainer’.”
It was a case of encore, encore for Bravo Bravo when he followed up at Lingfield Park today and Channon is happy with the way that his horses are running at present with a busy weekend ahead. “We’ve been going steady all year but it’s nice when you put a few together. We’ve had a good week, put it that way.”
Channon will be hoping that it will get a lot better, starting with Music Show in the Group One Coolmore Fusaichi Pegasus Matron Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday. This was a filly, who was starting to appear unlucky on an almost professional basis, with excuses for her performances in the 1000 Guineas, the Irish 1000 Guineas and Coronation Stakes before she finally upheld the faith that her trainer had repeatedly voiced when she won the Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket in July.
She lost no caste in defeat, when second to Goldikova in the Prix Rothschild at Deauville last month, although Channon is acutely aware that the onset of autumn brings the time when fillies can start to lose their form. “She’s in great heart and obviously we’re very hopeful but it’s a competitive race – they’ll take no prisoners there,” he said.
“She’s held her form brilliantly all year so I’ve been very pleased with her. We never know this time of year; fillies start to change their coats and it’s the time of year that things are starting to change. But she appears in great form – Candy Morris did a little bit of work with her early this week and we’re very happy with her.”
Veliefendi racecourse in Turkey proved a very happy hunting ground for Channon a year ago when he won two Group Two races on the corresponding weekend, the Istanbul Trophy and the Bosphorus Cup.
Halicarnassus is back to defend the Bosphorus Cup and Channon is hopeful that the six-year-old is back to his best form after a tame display in the Strensall Stakes at York’s Ebor meeting when he finished last of 10. “We’re going out for another go and old Hali, we’ve hopefully got him right. He’s had a bit of a problem with a kissing spine and he can put in a bad race when he isn’t quite right. But we know what it is and hopefully we’ve got him right.”
There are those who might point out that if Youmzain had got it right a bit more often he would have been one of the best around. He is being prepared for a fourth crack at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, having finished as the runner-up in each of the past three renewals along with a string of placed runs in the 22 consecutive Group One races that the he has contested.
Channon would then point out that a horse who cost 30,000gns, has won two Group Ones and £3,394,269 in prize money is the sort of disappointment he could live with. “He’s in great form,” Channon said. “The Arc’s four weeks away this weekend – I wish it was this weekend to be honest with you. He’s on target, everything’s in place and the old boy’s in great heart. But that’s a month away and we’ve got lots of things to happen before that.”
Perhaps, but an Arc win would surely give Channon a last and most satisfying laugh.
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