Group 1 problem for Jessica Harrington with record-breaking filly Alpha Centauri after Coronation Stakes triumph
The Irish trainer will work backwards from the Breeders' Cup with monster three-year-old
ARGUABLY the star of this year's Royal Ascot was Alpha Centauri as she left a star-studded Coronation Stakes field in a cloud of dust.
The filly backed up her impressive Irish Guineas win to stamp her class on a miling division crying out for a star.
Jessica Harrington, the newly appointed Queen of Royal Ascot, now has several options for her filly that smashed the course record held by Barney Roy.
It looks as though her team will work backwards from the Breeders' Cup Mile, with the Niarchos Family holding a close affinity for that meeting.
Harrington is also hopeful Alpha Centauri will be able to race on as a four-year-old.
The Irish trainer told Racing UK's Luck On Sunday: "The only thing I have said is that I will not run her on soft ground, that goes without saying.
"She's in the Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket, whether that comes a bit quick for her I don't know, she got back yesterday and seemed fine.
"She's also in the Irish Champion Stakes, I suppose she'll be put into the Matron at Leopardstown as well and I know that the Niarchos Family sponsor the Jacques le Marois at Deauville and there was talk that she would go there and I said 'yes, as long as the ground is good'.
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"The Breeders' Cup Mile would definitely enter calculations. I know that's their (owners) love and it would be lovely if everything goes all right if she stays in training next year."
These options may give handler a number of sleepless nights, but it's a problem many trainers would envy.
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Another stable star, Torcedor, ran a blinder to be third in the Gold Cup and Harrington will take her time deciding the course of action for him.
He seems to thrive at the track having pushed Order Of St George very close at Champions' Day last season.
Harrington added: "He ran brilliantly. When you don't get beat far of course it is a bit frustrating but he ran brilliantly.
"He's improved again this year and is up there with the best stayers in Europe.
"He finished second to Order Of St George on Champions Day and in front of Stradivarius, so he's been there knocking on the door, but he started from humble beginnings. He's come a long way.
"I haven't thought about where he'll go next. He's come out the race well - sound as a pound and in great order- but we haven't made a plan yet."