Coronation next up for Alpha Centauri Alpha Centauri is set to head to Royal Ascot next for the Coronation Stakes following her victory in the Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh on Sunday. The daughter of Mastercraftsman relished the fast ground as she mowed down long-time leader Could It Be Love to give trainer Jessica Harrington and Colm O’Donoghue their first Classic success. Alpha Centauri could step up in distance at some stage but the Coronation, again over a mile, is seen as the logical next port of call. It gives her the chance to go one better than last year at Royal Ascot where she was drawn on the wrong side of the track when beaten a neck by Different League in the Albany Stakes. Alan Cooper, racing manager to owners the Niarchos family, said: “It was a great result. She did it so well. “Jessie (Harrington) has always liked the filly and she proved it on Sunday. “She showed a lot of class and it was a super ride from Colm (O’Donoghue). “The run at Leopardstown in April we felt was too bad to be true. We put it down to the ground being so bad that day. “The filly had been thriving since and she likes that ground. “The plan is to go to Ascot for the Coronation Stakes and take it from there. “She might stay longer but that is the current plan. Let’s hope for good weather and she gets there in one piece.”
