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Gary Carson

Gary Carson

Sonja reels in front-runner to score in style

Thu 13th Oct 2022, 15:06

American Sonja and Dylan Browne McMonagle American Sonja and Dylan Browne McMonagle
© Photo Healy Racing

The Joseph O'Brien-trained American Sonja justified her short price when running out a cosy winner of the Irish EBF Median Sires Series Maiden at the Curragh.

The field split into two in the six-furlong contest with McCauley's Tavern soon shooting into a clear lead on the stand's side.

Dylan Browne McMonagle asked American Sonja, who raced on the far side, to go and pick up the leader over a furlong out.

The 10/11 favourite was well on top in the closing stages to post a three-and-a-half length win.

The daughter of Tasleet was gaining a deserved success having been runner-up on her two most recent outings.

Assistant Brendan Powell said afterwards:- “Dylan said he was a bit worried for a minute as the other horse has a load of experience and stays well.

“He said though that he knew if he went a stride quicker he'd be going too quick. As it was she probably got to the front plenty soon enough but she's won nicely in the end.

“He said she deserves to go up a bit in class now, he said she's very genuine and she'll stay seven.

“He likes her, he said the ground probably wouldn't want to be much softer for her but she coped with that, probably on ability she got away with it more than anything.”

1st
10/11Fav
Tote €2.10 €1.10
2nd
3.5L
10/1
€2.10
3rd
hd
33/1
€4.00
4th
1L
2/1
About Gary Carson
Gary started out as a trainee/assistant journalist with the Sporting Life newspaper and has worked in the racing industry for over 25 years. He has been with the Press Association since 2013 and won the Irish Field Nap Table in 2016. He enjoys working with horses and trained his own horse, Mamaslittlestar, to win a point-to-point in 2019.