By Daithi Harvey
Jessica Harrington achieved a bucket list ambition when Alpha Centauri (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) became her first Royal Ascot winner when slamming her rivals in the G1 Coronation S. last Friday and the trainer is eyeing another potential 'first' with the Niarchos family-owned filly later in the season.
Speaking on Racing UK on Sunday Harrington said the Breeders' Cup at Churchill Downs in November would probably be her end of season aim. “The [GI] Breeders' Cup Mile would definitely enter calculations. I know that's their [owners] love [it] and it would be lovely if everything goes all right and if she stays in training next year.”
In the meantime the filly has no shortage of options but the one thing that will determine her targets is ground conditions. The only time the dual Group 1 winner has underperformed is when the word 'soft' appeared in the going description.
“She's in the Falmouth [at Newmarket on July 13], whether that comes a bit quick for her I don't know, she got back yesterday and seemed fine. The only thing I have said is that I will not run her on soft ground, that goes without saying. She's also in the [Sept. 15 QIPCO] Irish Champion S., I suppose she'll be put into the [G1] Matron [S. also Sept. 15] and I know that the Niarchos Family sponsor the Jacques le Marois at Deauville [on Aug. 12] and there was talk that she would go there also.”
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