CLEAN SWEEP FOR STAR IN SORLEY O’DORNAN DECIDER

Peter Farrell

The €2,500-to-the-winner Sorley O’Dornan Memorial 525 final at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium on Sunday evening went very much to script, with Knocknadoguestar completing a clean sweep across the competition.

Sponsored by the friends and family of Sorley O’Dornan, the event once again delivered high-quality racing, and this year’s renewal was dominated by Knocknadoguestar from start to finish. Owned by the Don’t-Know-Syndicate, the October pup had impressed throughout the earlier rounds, posting a best of 28.63 and arriving at the final as the clear one to beat. In search of a fourth straight victory, she was sent off as the 4/9 favourite and made full use of a smart break from trap one to take early control. Grantstown Tas gave chase and closed to within a length at the turn, applying pressure between bends two to three, but never quite getting on terms with the leader. The daughter of Ballymac Cashout and Flaminhasntabob proved resolute when challenged and, staying on strongly off the final bend, she edged clear again in the closing stages to score by one and three-quarter lengths. The winning time of 28.49 was a competition best and capped a dominant display from Knocknadoguestar throughout the stake.