Samitar bags Guineas for Channon and Harley
Report: Curragh, Sunday
Etihad Airways Irish 1,000 Guineas (Group 1) 1m 3yo fillies
MICK CHANNON bagged a first major Classic winner as Samitar came home in front to post a shock win under champion apprentice Martin Harley.
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The 12-1 chance tanked up the home straight behind Homecoming Queen, who adopted the same front-running position she did at Newmarket but the uneasy favourite never looked liked repeating that win.
Samitar, the sole British runner in the race, was travelling much better than the fancied horses and she crossed the line a length and a half in front of Ishvana (33-1) with 25-1 shot Princess Sinead filling the other podium position in a surprise outcome.
Harley's delight was clear to see as he punched the air crossing the line and after the race, he said: "Things have been going very well. The boss [Channon] has been giving me lots of chances and to give me a ride in a Classic was unbelievable.
Mick Channon: first Classic winner
PICTURE: Edward Whitaker"She has been working well. She came here today on song and two furlongs out she was never going to get beat. It is an amazing feeling."
Channon has had numerous top-class fillies without ever winning a major Classic before but it was the achievements of Harley more than his landmark success he was keen to talk about.
He added: "I am chuffed for Martin. He is a good lad and a hard-working lad. It is a good day for him and the owners and everybody back at West Ilsley."
Of the winner he said: "She did it great. She needs holding up and giving a chance and I said at halfway 'she pisses it'. She ran in a bog in France but got her ground today. I would imagine it will be the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot next.
"Her owner [Martin Schwartz] lives in America and the plan has always been for her to go over there in September."
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