Crawford strikes Sha Tin double while Ferraris takes G3 Celebration Cup

Trainer Brett Crawford and jockeys Lyle Hewitson and Luke Ferraris hoisted the South African flag high on Sunday at Sha Tin in Hong Kong.
Crawford scored a double - his first winners in Hong Kong - with Ninja Derby ridden by Lyle Hewitson and Speedy Smartie ridden by Karis Teetan.
Ferraris steered the Mark Newnham-trained My Wish to victory in the HK$4.20-million (R9.3-million) G3 Celebration Cup Handicap over 1400m.
After a positive start to life in Hong Kong with three placings from five starters, Crawford headed to Sha Tin on Sunday with just two runners and things could not have unfolded any better.
“Amazing day. I couldn’t be happier,” he said after Ninja Derby joined Speedy Smartie on the winners’ list, reports Sam Agars of the South China Morning Post.
After finishing second on turf as Crawford’s first Hong Kong runner on opening day, Speedy Smartie wasted no time going one better when hanging on to take out Sunday’s Class Five Tropicbird Handicap over 1200m on the dirt.
“I’m obviously very pleased. We’ve had a few horses run really good races so far. This being our sixth runner, it’s always nice to get a winner and it just shows the things we are doing in the stable are working well,” said Crawford.
“I’ve got to thank the team at home very much, they’ve done a fantastic job. To the owners, to the Yu family, I’ve got to thank them for their support.
“It’s been a dream of mine to get here, so to finally get a winner up on the board is amazing. Obviously our first runner was second and I think to have a winner within six runners is a good achievement - I’m very happy with that and we can only build on that.”
It was Teetan delivering the goods aboard Speedy Smartie and the Mauritian jockey was quick to praise a man he built a strong association with in South Africa in the early 2010s.
“It’s amazing, he’s been a great help to my career. When I was in South Africa, he gave me a chance to put my name up there when I was back in Cape Town and he trusted me and put me on a lot of good horses,” said Teetan.
“Hong Kong is a different place and I’ve been here for so long now and I just let Brett know that you just have to keep your head up and persist. He has more experience than me, but I’ve been here for a while now, so it’s just nice to have someone you can talk to and work with.
“I’m really grateful for the support of his owners so that I could ride Brett’s first winner in Hong Kong.”
Joining forces with Teetan made Sunday’s breakthrough all the more special for Crawford.
“Obviously we go back a long time and I think it was over 12 years ago when he [last] had a winner for me, so it’s a fantastic feeling,” said the 54-year-old.
“He’s put in a lot of work and he’s helped me a lot, so for me it’s like a milestone to see him back in the saddle and winning for me. A big thanks to him and his family.”
Ninja Derby provided an easy watch for Crawford and those who backed the six-year-old in from $18 to $9 late in betting, finding the front from barrier 14 under Lyle Hewitson and dictating proceedings throughout.
“I thought today this horse would run a big race. Obviously from gate 14 it was a bit of a concern but I must give full credit to Lyle. I thought he rode an absolutely perfect race and gave the horse every chance,” said Crawford after Ninja Derby’s 2.75-length success.
“When he quickened at the top of the straight I thought he would be a hard horse to catch. I’m very pleased. He showed it in his trial - he trialled really well and for me that’s encouraging that the horses are running how they’ve been working at home.”