ALPHA CENTRE OF ATTENTION
JESSICA HARRINGTON, who had her first winner at Royal Ascot with Alpha Centauri, now has her eyes on another first with the filly.
“We’ve given her the green light for Newmarket,” said the trainer after the filly worked in the hands of her big-race rider Colm O’Donoghue.
“She went well on the gallops this morning. Everything was good.”
Apha Centauri, successful in the Irish 1,000 Guineas before taking the Coronation Stakes at Ascot, runs in the Falmouth Stakes on Friday.
She looked an exceptional filly last time when slamming Threading by six lengths and breaking the course record.
Not surprisingly she heads Coral’s betting at 4-5 with Rhododendron 9-2, Threading 13-2 and Hydrangea and Happily 7-1.
Aussie sprint star Redkirk Warrior, a bitter disappointment in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Ascot when ridden by Frankie Dettori, is on target for the Darley July Cup on Saturday.
Ridden
The gelding pleased his connections at Newmarket yesterday when ridden by Regan Bayliss, his regular jockey in Australia who replaces Dettori.
Ben Hayes, son of the trainer David, believes Newmarket will suit him more than Ascot.
“He’s never the same horse at home if he races what we call ‘Sydney way’, which is right to left,” said Hayes. “He has only ever shown his best form when racing left to right, so maybe that was a factor.”
His task will be made considerably easier with Harry Angel, last year’s winner, missing the race through injury.
Blue Point, the impressive winner of the King’s Stand at Royal Ascot, tops the betting at 3-1 with Redkirk Warrior a 9-1 chance with Ladbrokes.
William Buick, who will ride the Godolphin-owned Blue Point, was on the mark at Chantilly yesterday when partnering Crown Walk to victory in the Prix Chloe. The filly, also owned by Godolphin, was given a flawless ride by the Derby-winning jockey.
Rhona Pindar rode the first winner of her career at Windsor last night on Star Of Zaam, trained by her boss Karl Burke. This afternoon she is on Golden Guide in the 4.30 at Pontefract.