Winner of the Irish 1,000 Guineas, the Coronation Stakes, the Falmouth Stakes and the Prix Jacques le Marois, Alpha Centauri is the star name among 16 fillies confirmed for the Gr.1 Rock Matron Stakes at Leopardstown.
Jessica Harrington’s daughter of Mastercraftsman will is hoping to extend her Group One tally to five on the opening day of Irish Champions Weekend.
Aidan O’Brien has seven remaining contenders including Rhododendron, Magical, Happily and Athena.
The potential British challenge is headed by Karl Burke’s star filly Laurens. Burke has also left in Ellthea, while Mick Channon could send Dan’s Dream across the Irish Sea.
Dermot Weld’s impressive recent Cork scorer Making Light is also in the mix.
Click here to watch Matron Stakes winner race 2017
1st Hydrangea (A. O'Brien, W. Lordan), 2nd Winter (A. O'Brien,R. Moore), 3rd Persuasive (J. Gosden, F. Dettori), 4th Wuheida (C. Appleby, J. Doyle), 5th Qemah (J. Rouget, G. Benoist), 6th Roly Poly (A. O'Brien, S. Heffernan), 7th Rhododendron (A. O'Brien, P. Beggy), 8th Intricately (J. O'Brien, D. O'Brien), 9th Diamond Fields (J. Stack, C. Hayes ), 10th Bean Feasa (J. Bolger, K. Manning)
1. Making Light (D. Weld), 2. Panstarr (J. Bolger), 3. Rhododendron (A. O'Brien), 4. Alpha Centauri (M. Harrington), 5. Athena (A. O'Brien), 6. Clemmie (A. O'Brien), 7. Dan's Dream (M. Channon), 8. Ellthea (K. Burke), 9. Happily (A. O'Brien), 10. Hence (A. O'Brien), 11. I Can Fly (A. O'Brien), 12. Laurens (K. Burke)
Distance: 1 mile (1,609 metres), Surface: Turf, Track: Left-handed, Qualification: Three-years-old and up,fillies and mares, Weight: 9 st 0 lb (3yo);,9 st 5 lb (4yo+), Purse: €350,000 (2017),1st: €206,500
Credit: Ritesh Jamkhedkar ritesh.jamkhedkar@secretariatsworld.com