Alpha Centauri Shines Bright

He's a son of Keeper and Country Rose - he was purchased by David Ellis from the Karaka Sale for just $60,000.  After Friday's racing at Kranji, Alpha Centauri went back to back and has now earned over $220,000 in prizemoney. 

He's called "Ricardo" because of his handsome looks ...

It's a remarkable story of a brave horse who has come back from injury, a patient trainer and a champion rider to partner the champion trainer - as the Singapore Turf Club reported:

Alpha Centauri stamped himself as a stayer in the making following his authoritative win in the $60,000 HJM Asia Law Cup (1800m) on Friday night.

The son of Keeper was stepping up to nine furlongs for the first time, but the way he put the race away in the last 200m suggests he will be even better suited over more ground, especially as he did not seem to be travelling all that well in the first half of the race.

Dropping back to last in the eight-horse field, the last-start winner (1600m) had to be hunted by his jockey Manoel Nunes down the back to keep in touch with the pack.

Verglatica (Corey Brown) who was just ahead of him lauched his move from the 700m, towing along Alpha Centauri ($20), who was finally stretching out more willingly.

Turning for home, leader Dancing Tsuru (Mohd Zaki) went for the oxygen mask as Military Alliance (Syafiq Hazman) swept past, but he did not last long either. Verglatica and Tangible Assets (Oscar Chavez) soon gave their backers something to shout about, as they came careering away down the middle, but they were left powerless when Alpha Centauri had the last say.

The Mark Walker-trained gelding raced away to his fourth win from 19 starts, scoring by 1 ½-lengths from Verglatica with Tangible Assets third another two lengths away. The winning time was 1min 52.95secs for the 1800m on the Polytrack.

Walker said he always identified potential in Alpha Centauri, but he only turned the corner after he received some leg treatment in Malaysia.

“He did a suspensory after the Singapore Guineas last year as a three-year-old. He went to Sandy Lines' property and Sherie Hamilton who pre-trains in Malaysia has done a lot of work with him,” said Walker.

“They've done a wonderful job with him and he's regained his form since. He's bred to stay as he is a half-brother to a very good hurdler in New Zealand.”

Nunes said he was a little worried when Alpha Centauri seemed to be plodding in the Polytrack, but once Verglatica gave them a cart into the race, he started to ping again.

“The plan was to get him over distance and it was his first time over 1800m. But he's such a good professional horse and did everything right except he was a little off the bridle down the back,” said the 2014 Singapore champion jockey.

“The race worked out beautifully for us as we were behind the horse to beat, Verglatica. Once I took him to the outside, he was just too good for them.

“Mark's stable is flying at the moment and it's great to be part of their success.”

Alpha Centauri has already established a handy record of four wins and nine placings from 19 runs for stakes earnings past the $220,000 mark for the Te Akau Racing Stable.