MAKING PLANS
Harrington has options for in-form Alpha Centauri
JESSICA HARRINGTON is weighing up several options for her record breaking filly Alpha Centauri. The Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket, the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville, the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown and the Irish Champion Stakes are all in the melting pot following her demolition job in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot on Friday.
She is almost certain to sign off for the year at the Breeders’ Cup, while Harrington is also hopeful she may remain in training as a four-year-old.
‘The only thing I have said is that I will not run her on soft ground, that goes without saying,’ Harrington told Racing UK’s Luck On Sunday show.
‘She’s in the Falmouth, whether that comes a bit quick for her I don’t know, she got back yesterday and seemed fine.
‘She’s also in the Irish Champion Stakes, I suppose she’ll be put into the Matron and I know that the Niarchos Family sponsor the Jacques le Marois at Deauville and there was talk that she would go there and I said ‘yes, as long as the ground is good’.
‘The Breeders’ Cup Mile would definitely enter calculations. I know that’s their (owners) love and it would be lovely if everything goes all right if she stays in training next year.’
Harrington has no immediate plan of action for her gallant Gold Cup third Torcedor.
Having gone close at Ascot on Champions Day last year, he took another step forward in the feature event of the entire Royal meeting, only being run down in the final half a furlong, beaten a length by Stradivarius.
‘When you don’t get beat far of course it is a bit frustrating but he ran brilliantly,’ she said.
‘He’s improved again this year and is up there with the best stayers in Europe. He finished second to Order Of St George on Champions Day and in front of Stradivarius, so he’s been there knocking on the door, but he started from humble beginnings.
‘I haven’t thought about where he’ll go next. He’s come out the race well — sound as a pound and in great order — but we haven’t made a plan yet.’