Mastercraftsman’s Alpha Centauri looks special

Alpha Centauri (2f Mastercraftsman-Alpha Lupi, by Rahy) looked outstanding on her debut in a classy maiden at Naas on May 1 and appeared even better on her next start at the County Kildare course on Sunday. The Niarchos family home-bred has long had a big home reputation and looked something out of the ordinary as she strolled away with the Listed Coolmore Stud Irish EBF Fillies' Sprint Stakes to win by five lengths.

Many are already talking about next season’s Classics for the Mastercraftsman filly but her next start looks set to come in the G3 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot, for which Paddy Power make her 3/1 favourite.

“Alpha Centauri is so easy going and takes everything in her stride. The further she went the better she got. She will go to Ascot next and the Albany would be her most likely target,” said trainer Jessica Harrington. "The great thing today was she got a bit of an education and she was behind for a while. She was very good, and when she went she just went. She hardly breaks sweat. "She's such an easy filly to train and she has some stride on her. I don't think going further will be any problem as the further she went today the further she went away." The Racing Post’s analysts were fulsome in their praise of Alpha Centauri. “ALPHA CENTAURI could not have been more impressive. The softer ground conditions would not have been any inconvenience to her as she is a massive filly with an impressive stride. The further she went the better she got and she put daylight between herself and her rivals without being asked many questions. It's early days yet, but all the signs are there to suggest she will be even better as she progresses and fills into her giant frame. Royal Ascot will be next for her where the Albany would look the most logical race. It will take something special to beat her. This was her latest test which she passed with flying colours.”