Alpha Centauri (Mastercraftsman) Winning A Maiden At Naas

Mastercraftsman 2yo has star quality

Niarchos family home-bred Alpha Centauri (2f Mastercraftsman-Alpha Lupi, by Rahy) arrived at Naas on Monday with a big reputation and didn’t disappoint those who backed her into favouritism for her racecourse debut.

Jessie Harrington’s charge was sent off 2/1 market leader for the 6-furlong maiden and she soon had her 13 rivals well strung out, finishing two and a half lengths ahead of Declaration Of War newcomer Actress (2f Declaration Of War-Nasty Storm, by Gulch).

“I must have a mole in my yard because everyone knew about her!” said Harrington. “She's the biggest two-year-old I have and just has a relentless stride.

“She has plenty of pace but you'd imagine she'll be better over longer and we'll see where we go now. She loved that ground.”

The Mastercraftsman granddaughter of Miesque impressed everyone with her victory. The TDN gave her Rising Star status, bookmakers quoted her at 33/1 for next year’s 1,000 Guineas and the Racing Post raved about the performance.

“ALPHA CENTAURI is potentially very smart judging by this. Quick into stride, she upped the tempo at the 2f pole and nothing could go with her. She has plenty of size about her and went off favourite so this was no surprise. Perhaps the most impressive aspect was her impressive stride and one would expect there will be bigger things to come from her beyond 6f,” said the Racing Post.