Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

Miracle Man (left), ridden by champion jockey Brian Harding, winning the Prime Minister's Stakes over 2000 metres at Caymanas Park on Independence Day. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

Horse of the Year MIRACLE MAN, who is unbeaten in five starts this season, faces his stiffest task to date when he takes on six opponents in the 3-y-o and up graded stakes feature for the Eileen Cliggott Trophy over 1300 metres at Caymanas Park today.

The race, which offers a total purse of $850,000, is run annually in honour of Hall of Fame trainer Eileen Cliggott, who was dubbed the Iron Lady of racing in her heyday.

Now well into her 80s, Cliggott who retired some five years ago due to failing health, was once the leading all-time trainer in local racing with over 900 winners, before she was overtaken by fellow Hall of Famer, Allan 'Billy' Williams, then Kenneth Mattis, Philip Feanny and Wayne DaCosta, all of whom went on to saddle 1000 winners. Although never having won the trainers' title, Cliggott has saddled a total of 976 winners in a career spanning well over 40 years.

Stiff opposition

Meanwhile, MIRACLE MAN who is coming off a recent win in the valuable Prime Minister's Stakes over 2000 metres on August 7, faces stiff opposition from the stable-companions FORMALLY GOLD, CLOCK WORK and the fleet-footed LIL' COUNTRY BOY, all from the stables of champion trainer Wayne DaCosta.

True, he's undoubtedly the class horse of the field, and is versatile and consistent as they come as well. But with the 'COUNTRY BOY', CLOCK WORK and FORMALLY GOLD coming to run a dazzling relay, this won't be a walk in the park for MIRACLE MAN, even though I expect the massive 4-y-o son of Law Of The Sea - Hya to prove equal to the task under the big weight.

The fleet-footed American colt LIL' COUNTRY BOY is almost certain to lead them a merry chase into the straight, but MIRACLE MAN and CLOCK WORK won't be far off.

I am expecting MIRACLE MAN, with champion jockey Brian Harding again in the saddle, and the late running FORMALLY GOLD under title-chasing jockey Charles Hussey to be coming strongly from behind, with MIRACLE MAN, who should get first run, holding the consistent FORMALLY GOLD at bay in deep stretch.

Extend winning streak

From the stables of the legendary 'Billy' Williams, MIRACLE MAN continues to move impressively at exercise, clocking a fast 59.1 on Tuesday morning. With his preparation complete, I take him to extend his winning streak at the expense of FORMALLY GOLD.

Other firm fancies on the card are the DaCosta-trained NATURAL DESIRE to romp the first race over 1820 metres, the well forward 2-y-o debutante MUCHO GUSTO in the third, VICTORIA to stave off I AM PAID FOR in the fifth, the well prepared AD INFINITUM to return (from an eight-month absence) with a bang in the seventh, CORDITE in the eighth and DOUBLE DIAMOND in the nightpan.