STEPTOTHECOMMONS QUICKEST IN SORLEY O’DORNAN SEMIS

Peter Farrell

The semi finals of the Sorley O’Dornan Memorial featured on Clonmel’s SIS card on Sunday night and while Swift Hot maintained her unbeaten run in the stake, Steptothecommons went quickest as he dominated from the outset.

Running in the opening semi, Steptothecommons was an easy to follow 9/2 chance prior to the off and it was Dangan Conor who was installed as the 6/5 favourite to add to add extraordinary record of eleven wins from sixteen starts. Drawn in trap two, the David Flanagan-trained September pup was at the top of his game at traprise as he pinged the lids to post a smart 2.85 sectional. In doing so, the son of Deerjet Sydney and Lamestep got first run over Dangan Conor and it was a case of catch me if you can thereafter. Setting a blistering gallop to post a rapid 16.10, Steptothecommons always had his rivals firmly in the rear-view mirror as he maintained a strong gallop to stay on stoutly and see off Dangan Conor in second. A dominant performance saw Margaret Barrett’s charge cross with four and a half lengths to spare, while it was Tetra Destiny that claimed the final qualifying position in third. The time was a hot 28.68.

SWIFT WAS HOT

In the second semi, Swift Hot picked up where she left off seven days prior with another polished performance for Alex Callachan and Aaron O’Hanlon.

Yet to taste defeat in her short career thus far, she made it five wins from five when once again bolting from trap six to lead. Indeed, the daughter of Burgess Bucks and Swift Usha posted a brilliant 2.75 sectional, which in turn allowed her to take a two length lead into the back from Morthers Mustang in second. At this point, the 5/4 favourite was being too made to work hard as she stopped the sectional clock in a brisk 16.19, however, she upped the ante turning for home to emerge a commanding winner thereafter. Two and a half lengths clear of the impressive second place finished, Bright Morgan, the final qualifying position went the way of Morthers Mustang in third. The time was 28.87.