Coronation ace Alpha Centauri may take on elders in Falmouth Stakes

After confirming herself much the best three-year-old filly in Europe, runaway Coronation Stakes winner Alpha Centauri will step up and tackle older opposition on her next start, which could come as soon as the Group 1 Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket a fortnight on Friday.

Alpha Centauri arguably produced the performance of the week at Royal Ascot, with her six-length win in the Coronation Stakes in a new course record time, and she was reported on Sunday to have taken the race and travelling in her stride.

Trainer Jessica Harrington has yet to form a definite plan for the Niarchos Family-owned filly, but she is not ruling out a trip to the July meeting.

She said: “I don’t really know where she'll run next but I won’t run her on soft ground. She arrived home yesterday and is fine, she’s had a lead out and a pick of grass. She’s in the Falmouth, although whether that comes a bit quick I don’t know.

"She’s in the Champion Stakes, will be put in the Matron, and I know the Niarchos family sponsor the Prix Jacques le Marois, so she’ll likely go there as long as the ground suits.”

Speaking on Luck On Sunday, Harrington added that a trip to the Breeders’ Cup could well be in the offing for Alpha Centauri, and she expressed the hope she would remain in training as a four-year-old.

She said: “The Breeders’ Cup Mile would definitely enter calculations as I know the Niarchos family love the race, and wouldn’t it be lovely if the season went well if she stayed in training next year?”

Aljazzi (William Buick) winning the Duke of Cambridge Stakes was a highlight for her trainer Marco Botti, his first Royal Ascot successCredit: Bryn Lennon (Getty Images)

Should Alpha Centauri be given the go-ahead to run at Newmarket, she could well face Aljazzi, who, like Alpha Centauri, provided her trainer with a first Royal Ascot success when winning the Duke of Cambridge Stakes.

Her trainer Marco Botti said: “She’s entered in the Falmouth but, knowing the filly as we do, there would be a concern it might be a little bit tight getting her there. She’s come out of the race well and Newmarket will be strongly considered.

"The other possible option is the Prix de Rothschild at Deauville, but we’ll have a better idea in a couple of weeks.”

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