TDN RISING STARS

May 1, 2017 - Naas, Race 1, Msw, EUR €17,500, 6.0F, .0000

Alpha Centauri (Ire), f, 2, 2015 by Mastercraftsman (Ire)

1st Dam: Alpha Lupi (Ire), by Rahy
2nd Dam: East of the Moon, by Private Account
3rd Dam: Miesque, by Nureyev

Owner: Niarchos Family
Breeder: Niarchos Family (Ire)
Trainer: Jessie Harrington

Alpha Centauri towered over her rivals in the preliminaries and duly attracted sufficient support to make her the 2-1 favourite to become the latest notable winner from the prolific dual-purpose Jessie Harrington stable. Sharp enough to gain the early lead and the far rail, the imposing grey was sent clear from the quarter pole by Colm O’Donoghue and was able to be eased late to record a comprehensive 2 1/2-length success from Ballydoyle’s fellow newcomer Actress (Ire) (Declaration of War). “What was worrying me was the size of her,� her trainer said of the imposing grey. “She’s the biggest two-year-old I have. When she came to me before Christmas she weighed 530 kilos which is heavier than most of the jumpers. I sent them back three times to weigh her because I said ‘you must have got it wrong’. She still weighs over 500 kilos and it’s amazing how big she is. She just has a relentless stride. She has plenty of pace, but you’d imagine she’ll be better over longer as she’s out of a Caerleon mare. We’ll see where we go now. She loved that ground.� The dam’s first foal was Ballydoyle’s useful Tenth Star (Ire) (Dansili {GB}), winner of the Listed Golden Fleece S. who was also runner-up in the G2 Royal Lodge S. She is a daughter of the G1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches, G1 Prix de Diane and G1 Prix Jacques le Marois heroine East of the Moon (Private Account), whose four black-type performers are headed by the G3 Prix d’Arenberg scorer Moon Driver (Mr. Prospector) and also include Canda (Storm Cat), dam of the G3 Horris Hill S.-winning sire Evasive (GB). East of the Moon was one of the brilliant Miesque’s brigade of talented progeny alongside Kingmambo and it is notable that several of her descendants have made their mark in this country. They include the sire Mingun and the G1 Moyglare Stud S. and G1 Prix Marcel Boussac-winning European champion Rumplestiltskin (Ire) (Danehill). Alpha Lupi has a yearling filly by So You Think (NZ) to come. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $11,747.