Andrew Harrison

ERIC SANDS has made the tough decision to withdraw Rainbow Bridge from the Gr1 HKJC World Pools Champions Cup.

The season-ending race will be run over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday, July 31.

After scratching his head over the past two weeks, Sands decided on Friday that it was to Rainbow Bridge’s benefit that he miss the race.

“It’s a million rand race, and I would love to go for a million rand race, but why do I want to get blood out of a stone,” he said.

 “Two years ago, he won the race and he should have beaten Soqrat by five lengths. Last year he got beaten by his brother (Golden Ducat) but he should have beaten Cirillo (third) by five lengths.

“He’s had a tough season and he’s given everything. His run in the July was probably his worst. I could get him back but if he gets beaten people will say I should not have let him run.”

“He’s not just a horse, he’s my friend and I would never do that to a friend,” Sands concluded.

This season Rainbow Bridge won the Gr1 Cape Town Met, the Gr2 Drill Hall Stakes and the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge. He was also second in the Gr2 Green Point Stakes, beaten a short head by Belgarion, and second in the Gr1 Queen’s Plate.

His last run in the Gr1 Vodacom Durban July was his worse showing this season, finishing eighth, beaten five lengths by Kommetdieding, the run that prompted Sands’ decision.