TATTERSALLS IRISH 1000 GUINEAS (GROUP 1)

WHAT must have seemed a near interminable wait for a second Group 1 success finally came to an end for Jessica Harrington and it did so on one of the most coveted stages of all as Alpha Centauri rediscovered the immense promise of her juvenile career.

In the aftermath of Sizing John’s Cheltenham Gold Cup triumph last year, Jessica Harrington outlined a Royal Ascot winner and a classic success as long held and cherished objectives.

Alpha Centauri went agonisingly to securing that first victory at the royal meeting but 11 months on the Niarchos Family-owned filly would not be denied as she tried her hand in a classic for the first time.

Alpha Centauri wasn’t at her best in the Moyglare Stud Stakes last September nor did she run to her potential on her comeback at Leopardstown in mid-April.

However, her trainer’s belief that a return to quick ground would bring out the best in the Mastercraftsman filly was borne out in style as she pounced late to deny a game Could It Be Love.

Pathfork’s victory in the 2010 National Stakes was the trainer’s first Group 1 success and a number of near misses in this grade have since followed, a number of them coming in Irish classics.

PRESENCE

There was a sense though that this could be the day that Jessica Harrington was about to make her presence felt at the highest level once again as the imposing Alpha Centauri was returned a well-backed 12/1 chance.

Stable jockey Colm O’Donoghue, who was looking for his first victory in this race, was on board the winner as he has been throughout her six-race career and the pair initially settled in midfield.

From halfway though there was a real sense of urgency in the main group of runners as the pace-setting Could It Be Love had built up a big lead and wasn’t showing any signs of fading.

PROMINENT

Around three furlongs from home, Alpha Centauri had taken up a prominent position in the main group and O’Donoghue then unleashed her with a sustained charge in a bid to cut down Could It Be Love.

To her considerable credit, the last-named continued to gallop on strongly but Alpha Centauri was setting over closer.

After moving into a clear second with over a furlong to run, the winner sustained her effort to strike the front and she went on to score by a length and three-quarters.

Could It Be Love was a fine second, with the favourite Happily a further three-quarters of a length away in third. On her first start of the season, Clemmie finished ninth.

“It’s fantastic, I’ve finally gotten a classic.

“It’s a dream come true really and it’s almost as good as winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup,” said the elated winning trainer.

“It’s the first time since Ascot last year that she has had her ground. It was heavy when she ran in the Moyglare, it was heavy when she ran at Leopardstown and she’s just such a big filly she struggles to pull herself out of that bad ground.’’

BEAUTIFUL

“There’s an unbelievable amount of people who have put in so much work to make a day like this happen and I must also thank the Niarchos family for sending me this most beautiful of fillies. It’s onwards and upwards from here I hope. I would imagine that she will now head to Ascot for the Coronation Stakes,” she added.

The winning jockey reflected: “She was such a good two-year-old. Mrs Harrington has just brought her on with kid gloves and minded her. She is such a laid back filly, and you don’t know whether you’re doing too much or too little with her.

“It’s tremendous and everyone who works in the yard have done a wonderful job. The horses are bouncing.’’

Aidan O’Brien indicated that Could It Be Love will be considered for the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot, while Happily is set to move up in distance to 10 and a half furlongs for the Prix de Diane.

He expects substantial improvement from Clemmie when she turns out in the Coronation Stakes.