Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

Williams

Having put away genuine sprinters in the Eileen Cliggott Trophy a fortnight ago, 'Horse of the Year' MIRACLE MAN returns quickly for another lucrative payday when he takes on five opponents in the graded stakes feature for the L.R. 'Bob' Mayall Memorial Trophy over 1600 metres at Caymanas Park today.

This is one of three trophy races on the 11-race programme, the others being the 3-y-o and up overnight allowance race for the Calvin O'Sullivan Memorial Cup to be contested by a full field of 12, and the Knutsford Park Cup over 1200 metres in which 13 native bred three-year-olds have been declared.

The Allan 'Billy' Williams-trained MIRACLE MAN is unbeaten in six starts this season and following his effortless victory over 1300 metres a fortnight ago, the 4-y-o colt by Law Of The Sea out of Hya looks hard to oppose at a mile, despite customary top weight of 60.5 kg. Champion jockey Brian Harding again has the ride.

The Asafa Powell of local racing

MIRACLE MAN, who could aptly be described as the Asafa Powell of local racing, has already captured the Eros Trophy, Legal Light Trophy, Chairman's Trophy, WITRA Classic, Prime Minister's Stakes and Cliggott Trophy this season. He should have little difficulty in winning the 'Bob' Mayall Memorial Trophy against the usual suspects.

FORMALLY GOLD, the mount of five-time champion Trevor Simpson, looks best equipped to chase home the big horse.

A much more competitive race on the card is the 3-y-o and up overnight allowance for the Calvin O'Sullivan Memorial Cup to be contested by 12 starters over the circular nine course.

Here, Harding rides the late kicking 4-y-o colt TWEEDSIDE for his guv'nor, Anthony 'Baba' Nunes and the leading jockey has a glorious chance of winning this race as well.

TWEEDSIDE was not really disgraced when finishing 7 3/4 lengths fifth to SEATTLE'S GIRL over the distance in open allowance company. Today, Harding replaces the inexperienced apprentice Oral Bennett aboard the 4-y-o son of Alisios and now dropped in class, his final rattle could prove hard to withstand from the convenient mark of 52.0kg.

While I have every respect for TWEEDSIDE and proven distance horse ROYAL RUN (working well), it is the Rowan Mathie-trained JACK SPARROW who has most appeal, having finished a clear second (running on) to out-of-class SEATTLE'S GIRL last time out when having the likes of St. Leger winner ALLIEDFORCE, LA REINA and DON LIMPIO behind.

Winning ways

Now back to overnight company and connections sticking with the promising claiming apprentice Jason Simpson, JACK SPARROW is tipped to resume winning ways from his handy mark of 53.0kg.

Other firm fancies on the card are down in class CAT LEGEND in the 2nd race, LA REINA in the 3rd, JOHNNA-ANN in the 5th, SCOTCHONTHEROCKS in the 9th and SIR CHARLES in the 11th.