Dual Met winner Rainbow Bridge produced a magical return effort at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday.
Returning after a 13 week break following his cracking win on Cape Town’s big raceday, the son of Ideal World opened the 2021 SA Champions Season in scintillating style, storming to an easy victory in the R300 000 Independent On Saturday Gr2 Drill Hall Stakes.
Second in this race in 2019 behind Undercover Agent, the 6yo sent an ominous warning to his opposition over the next few months.
He literally sprouted wings from some lengths off the gallop under his now regular pilot Luke Ferraris, to win the traditional season launch pad in emphatic fashion.
“I decided to ride him quietly similar to his Met run. As we cornered I showed him daylight. He did the rest. A great start to his campaign,” said the talented Luke Ferraris, probably still mulling over Malmoos’ sub-standard showing at Turffontein 24 hours earlier.
Luke Ferraris has Rainbow Bridge in full flight as Gavin Lerena chases on Catch Twentytwo (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
An elated trainer Eric Sands said that Rainbow Bridge was a lot more forward than he was last year.
“A big thanks to Peter Muscutt and his team. I have to trust them and turn a blind eye. It’s a pleasure to saddle another winner for Mr and Mrs Rattray. And I’m not unhappy with Golden Ducat – he doesn’t have the same acceleration. He will be there in the July,” added the Milnerton veteran.
Rainbow Bridge (16-10) soared up the middle to accelerate away from his opposition and beat Gauteng 3yo Catch Twentytwo (3-1) in a time of 83,77 secs.
The sprinter Ultra Magnus (16-1) was not disgraced as he stayed on for third ahead of Ashburton challenger, Trip To Africa (33-1). The latter’s performance would have made trainer Duncan Howells’ afternoon!
Lead in celebrations (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Originally a R300 000 National Yearling Sale buy, Rainbow Bridge was bred by Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein and is a 6yo gelded son of Ideal World (Kingmambo) – a son of champion racemare Banks Hill, a full-sister to champion sire Dansili as well as the Gr1 sires Cacique and Champs Elysees.
Watch the replay and interview here:
Rainbow Bridge, whose younger Philanthropist half-brother Golden Ducat finished out of the money, but will be a factor in the July, according to trainer Sands, is out of the seven-time winner and multiple SA Champion broodmare Halfway To Heaven (Jet Master.
Rainbow Bridge has won 10 races with 11 places from 22 starts for stakes of R7 480 625.
