Rainbow Bridge sends message of bigger things to come

Ken Nicol

The Eric Sands-trained Rainbow Bridge scored a scintillating victory in the Grade 3 WSB Matchem Stakes to remain undefeated, and complete a feature double for Bernard Fayd’Herbe at Durbanville on Saturday.

A huge shock loomed 200m out, as 36-1 outsider New Caledonia surged into the lead after pacemaker Kampala Campari and Milton had faded away.

Rainbow Bridge had raced wide and midfield from a bad draw, but Fayd’Herbe hooked him out to the middle of the course.

The gelding then unleashed what is becoming a trademark withering turn of foot to win going away by a very comfortable 1.25 lengths.

This was his third Grade 3 win in succession, and he is undefeated in four starts over four different distances from 1200m to 1800m. Much bigger things beckon.

Assistant trainer Helen Richardson stood in for Sands who is overseas, and said: “It was very impressive and he does it so easily.”

Fayd’Herbe has sat on many a top horse in his time, and was suitably impressed.

“I was happy where I was in the race. He has a lovely action and turn of foot, and should go from strength to strength. There are exciting times to come. “

Just over half an hour earlier the Fillies equivalent WSB Diana Stakes had been won by Love To Boogie in a driving finish. Fayd'Herbe had the Andre Nel trained filly up handy from her wide draw, as Red Ginger set a very true tempo followed by Samsara, Dynamic Diana and the eventual winner.

She hit the front 200m out but had to dig deep late on as last year's winner Goodtime Gal, Miss Katalin, and Angel's Trumpet all threw out strong challenges.

Fayd'Herbe is never easy to pass in a feature finish though and extracted every ounce out of his mount to prevail by a neck.

This was a second consecutive Stakes win for Love To Boogie, after she won the Listed Off To Stud at Greyville last time out in July.

Earlier, if anyone previously doubted it, One World proved he is something very special when he got back up to beat high class Kasimir at Durbanville in a Progress Plate.

Going off the 13-20 favourite in the Progress Plate, Vaughan Marshall's Captain Al colt set a reasonable gallop, but seemed certain to have to settle for second when Kasimir went past him smoothly 200m out.

Showing reserves of resilience, One World refused to surrender .. He fought back to win comfortably by 0.50 length with the rest well beaten.

"Wow! Bernard went three quarters of a length up on me, and made things uncomfortable on the rail. But he fought back doggedly and this win is a testament to his courage - I had resigned myself to running second," Anton Marcus said.