COONOUGH CROW added a second Category One title to her CV with a brilliant off-the-pace victory in the Ladbrokes Kent St Leger Final at Crayford on Sunday.

The Mark Wallis-trained star overcame what looked a tricky draw on paper to catch longtime leader Baywatch Bullet (Belinda Green) on the run for home to land the £10,000 prize and famous trophy for owners the MWD Partnership of Mike Davis, Michelle Connolly and trainer Wallis himself.

Pitched out in trap five for the 714m decider, Coonough Crow was led to the bend by the Hove raider and Droopys Flotilla (Nathan Hunt) and looked to face a tall order when coming together with Dazl Rolex (Ricky Holloway), the Premier Greyhound Racing Golden Jacket winner, at the first bend, forcing the local hope wide in the process.

Racing to a slick 22.91sec sectional for the first lap, Baywatch Bullet still had a healthy lead on the second circuit but Coonough Crow had now moved into second and reduced the deficit gradually down the far side second time before launching a winning challenge off the final bend for a one and a half length victory.

The winning time for the October 2020 daughter of Eden The Kid and Coonough Dolly, the oldest finalist, was 45.21sec (+30), with Dazl Rolex himself running on strongly to edge second place ahead of the gallant Baywatch Bullet, with the winner’s fast-finishing kennelmate Ballymac Taylor crossing the line in fourth.

Winning trainer Mark Wallis, confirming the Dorando Marathon on Star Sports/TRC English Derby Final night as Ballymac Taylor’s next major target, is considering a crack at the Coral Regency at Hove for Coonough Crow.

“First off, I’ve got to say we’re absolutely delighted with Crow – she’s a real star,” said Wallis. “I said last week she’ll always be a favourite after winning the MWD Partnership’s first major win in the Sunderland Grand Prix last year, but this was even better in many ways because that draw in five looked really tough.

“What impressed me again was her trackcraft. Crow’s always had something about her but she’s never run better and her style of running just seems to suit Crayford – she runs the bends well and, remember, started favourite to win the Golden Jacket. Ironically, trap one then, which looked okay on paper, worked against her in that race.

“This time a tougher draw seemingly worked in her favour maybe, although she’s had to work hard for it. I thought when her and Dazl Rolex bumped they were both out of the race, but to be fair both recovered well and Crow just got back into her rhythm a tough quicker and managed to out-stay the front two.

“I’m delighted for Mike and Michelle and thank Sid (Huett) and Emily (Wallis) for overseeing things on the night. Once again, Crayford treated connections royally and are credit to the sport on these occasions, so thanks to the management there and to sponsors Ladbrokes.”