Written by: Venal Naidu

Search Party gave trainer Brett Crawford his fourth graded race in the space of two weeks as he bagged the R400 000 Grade 2 Post Merchants at Greyville on Friday.

After finishing second in the Tsogo Sun Sprint at the end of May, Search Party started the race as worthy favourite and jockey Corne Orffer took him straight to the front as the gates opened.

He hit the lead after the start and held on gamely from a fast finishing Talk to the Stars with jockey Bernard Faydherbe and Amazing Strike was back in third for jockey Anthony Delpech.

The Post Merchants added to the Woolavington, Daily News and Rising Sun Gold Challenge victories for the Crawford stable.

Orffer was complimented for a fantastic ride and a fantastic season thus far but insists it’s not him that’s to congratulate.

“I can’t take a lot of the credit, Brett and his team and the groomsmen all work hard,” said Orffer.

The Crawford stable have never had a stellar season like this before and Tellytrack presenter Sheldon Peters emphasised that in the presentation.

“Brett Crawford and Corne orffer are having the season of their lives,” Peters said.

Racing enthusiasts felt the same way as they know that Crawford is here for business this season especially after winning the Sun Met in Cape Town earlier this year with Whiskey Baron.

“The Crawford stable looks like the stable follow for the big one (Vodacom Durban July) in two weeks and they don’t have the current ante-post favourite (Edict of Nantes) for nothing” said Kovilyn Naidoo.

The Vodacom Durban July field announcement and barrier draw is the next thing to take note of in the KwaZulu-Natal Champions Season which will take place on Tuesday 20 June.

*Caption: Search Party gets led into the golden horseshoe by his groom with Corne Orffer aboard.