Still Standing© Photo Healy Racing
Connections of star Alpha Centauri were on the mark at Ballinrobe today as the Jessica Harrington trained Still Standing under jockey Colm O'Donoghue, narrowly landed the Burleigh Accountancy Irish EBF Handicap.
Alpha Centauri gained a fourth consecutive Group 1 success in impressive fashion in the Prix Jacques Le Marois Stakes at Deauville yesterday and today Still Standing (for owner Anamoine Limited) gained his narrow head win, over Spiorad Saoirse to enhance the pair's tally.
Harrington wasn't present but O'Donoghue later said “I got a little bit impeded jumping out but he hasn't run for a long time and he's entitled to be a little bit rusty. I just rode a race then and we went a nice even pace and we kept picking up every furlong.
"He got very unbalanced with me turning in — it's a track that takes a little bit of experience and I thought that if I hit him, as we raced down to the furlong marker, I'd unbalance him even more.
"I'd have taken a beating for him to gain more long term but in fairness he did it well and he's one that Jessie has always liked. It's nice to see him go and win after a long time off."
Quotes from Eamonn Murphy
