- IAN ALLEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
MIIRACLE MAN (right), ridden by champion jockey Brian Harding, is driven out in the closing stages to win the Chairman's Trophy graded stakes feature over 1,500 metres from FORMALLY GOLD (out of pic) at Caymanas Park yesterday. It was the chestnut colt's fifth consecutive win.

Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

HORSE OF the Year MIRACLE MAN maintained his unbeaten run this season with a hard-fought victory over the super-fit American mare FORMALLY GOLD in the Chairman's Trophy graded stakes feature over 1500 metres at Caymanas Park yesterday.

Ridden for the first time by bang-in-form champion jockey Brian Harding, MIRACLE MAN, toting top weight of 60.5 kg in a field of five, had to be driven out in the last furlong to stave off the fast-finishing 3-1 chance FORMALLY GOLD (Dane Nelson up) by three-quarters of a length.

Installed a 2-5 favourite, the big 4-y-o chestnut colt from the stables of Hall of Famer Allan 'Billy' Williams chased the highly fancied American colt CLOCK WORK (2-1) closely from soon after the start.

Pushed out by Charles Hussey to maintain a narrow lead, CLOCK WORK was joined on the outside by MIRACLE MAN passing the half mile and the two raced neck and neck before MIRACLE MAN began to inch ahead leaving the 600-metre marker.

He turned for home a length or two ahead of CLOCK WORK and when FORMALLY GOLD, who was outpaced a bit in third, began to loom on the outside approaching the distance, MIRACLE MAN hung tough under the right-hand stick midway through the last furlong for a narrow win.

IDENTICAL FASHION

FORMALLY GOLD, who was beaten in identical fashion by MIRACLE MAN when they last met in the Eros Trophy over 1400 metres on February 18, lost no marks in defeat and the Wayne DaCosta-trained mare has established herself as one of the most versatile and consistent horses at the top level. She finished 5 3/4 lengths ahead of her more fancied stable-companion CLOCK WORK in third.

Owned and bred by Joseph Duany, MIRACLE MAN, by Law Of The Sea out of Hya, notched his fourth win from as many starts this season and his fifth in a row. He has now won 10 races from 15 career starts, including the 2005 Derby and Superstakes, for total stakes of close to $10.5 million.

Harding and Trevor Simpson shared the riding honours with two winners each, Harding notching up a total of 11 winners in the past four race days to be in serious contention for a second consecutive title.

Significantly, Simpson surged ahead of long-time leader Charles Hussey (who failed to ride a winner) in the standings, moving to 38 after winning aboard SUN TANNED TOES and ASTRO CRUNCH. Harding, meanwhile, joined Hussey in second on 36 after winning aboard hot favourite HAPHAZARD and MIRACLE MAN, leaving Wesley 'Callaloo' Henry in third on 34.

Also riding two winners was Oneil Mullinngs (Touchdown., Double Bow), while Feanny saddled two (Sun Tanned Toes, White Diamond).

The day's secondary feature for the Henry Harrison Sr. Memorial Cup over 1300 metres was won in a blanket finish by the very fast-finishing 10-1 shot FRANKIE MOREFIRE with Wilbert Gobay riding for trainer Lawrence Freemantle.