A big-race wrap for ‘Countrywide Crawfie’

Media release from TURF TALK...

BRETT Crawford has employed Troy Finch to assist him with his website, marketing and social media and the youngster will have a lot to report about after this weekend, in which a headline like ‘Crawfie Countrywide’ on their media releases would probably sound a bit silly, but not out of place.

You can follow Crawford Racing on twitter @bcrawfordracing

On Friday, the stable won the Gr2 Drill Hall Stakes at Greyville with the big fighter Undercover Agent (Corne Orffer), followed by Saturday’s Gr1 Computaform Sprint at Turffontein with Pacific Trader.

Pacific Trader was given a typically well-time ride by Piere Strydom, who commented: “If you have a good horse and you jump well in the Computaform Sprint the race is half won. He flew the gates.

Pierre Strydom is a master, a compliment to the patience and ability to get Pacific Trader over the line head infront. Photos courtesy of Chase Liebenburg

“Brett always phones me with spare rides, I would have been in Mauritius by now but I’m glad I stayed for this one,” he said.

Crawford said: “Pacific Trader was prepared specifically for this race and a special mention to Tienie Maritz, this is his first Gr1 winner. Maritz and Freddie van Wyk own the dark bay gelding by Sail From Seattle (Ascot Stud), who is now five from 11 with stakes approaching R1-million.

It was cocktails in Cape Town on Sunday when Armando (What A Winter, Orffer) rounded off a great weekend for the stable winning the Listed Somerset 1200 at Kenilworth.

Armando looked green, raw talent the victor here. Photograph by Bay Media

In the Somerset, the Lammerskraal-bred Armando showed that he is one for the notebook.

“There’s a lot more to come. When I gave him a backhander he took off” said Corne Orffer. “He put up smart work at home, and is very progressive” said Crawford about the stable’s first horse for prominent Hong Kong owner Mr Raymond Ng.