Alpha Centauri’s half-sister Alpine Star could hardly have done it any better on her second outing in the James’ Gate Irish EBF Median Auction Maiden at Galway.

Ballydoyle’s 9/4 shot Santiago had no answer to 7/4 favourite Alpine Star in the straight, three and a quarter lengths eventually splitting them at the line.

She has a long way to go to get anyway close to super-star Alpha Centauri’s four Group Ones, but Alpine Star (Shane Foley up) has made a pleasing start, building on a Leopardstown third placing from just over three weeks back.

"We're very happy with her and she learned a lot from her experience at Leopardstown and form of that race worked out great," said winning trainer Jessica Harrington's daughter Kate.

"You'd hope it is onwards and upwards with her now and she could go for a winners' of one and also has some fancy entries. She has a great attitude and Shane said he had to light her up coming out of the gate from a bad draw and she ran a little bit keen.

"He said as soon as she found the rising ground all she needed was one slap down the shoulder."

Martin Buick, racing manager to the Niarchos family (owners), added "Alpha Centauri is in-foal to Galileo and is thriving as a broodmare and it will be interesting to see her in her second career."

(TW & EM)