Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

Miracle Man, running at odds of 9-2 with Florida-based Jamaican jockey Allen Maragh aboard, romps the 27th Red Stripe Superstakes over 2000 metres at Caymanas Park on Saturday, November 12, 2005. Miracle Man went from post-to-post, scoring by six lengths over Distinctly Irish (right) with Winston Griffiths aboard and fourth-place Good Company (left), ridden by Charles Hussey. Eleven ran. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

The 28th running of the Red Stripe Superstakes takes place at Caymanas Park on Saturday and the rich and prestigious mile-and-quarter race (invitational) will be sponsored by Red Stripe for the last time.

Last year's winner and reigning 'Horse of the Year' MIRACLE MAN, unbeaten in eight starts this season, is the hot ante-post favourite for the Superstakes, but champion jockey Brian Harding, who won aboard the illustrious four-year-old colt on the last five occasions, will not be aboard him on Saturday.

No choice

Harding will instead ride AD INFINITUM for his guv'nor, trainer Anthony 'Baba' Nunes and owner Elias Haloute, while Florida-based Jamaican jockey Allen 'Bungo John' Maragh will renew his association with the Allan 'Billy' Williams-trained MIRACLE MAN.

Maragh won last year's Derby, St. Leger and Superstakes aboard the Joseph 'Fudgie' Duany-owned MIRACLE MAN.

When contacted on Saturday, a grim-looking Harding was blunt in his response to the latest development.

"I had no choice in the matter," he said. "I just have to ride Ad Infinitum."

The programme also features the $2 million Red Stripe Caribbean Sprint, $1.5 million Red Stripe Mile, $1.5 million Red Stripe Two-Year-Old Breeders' Stakes over 1400 metres and the Red Stripe Jockeys' Championship to be conducted on three select races.

Speaking on the termination of sponsorship for what is popularly known as Superday, Red Stripe's corporate relations manager Maxine Whitting-ham, said: "We are looking at new ways to align our sponsorship to meet the needs of consumers and punters. We will continue to improve ourselves, but it will take a new format.

"Our commitment remains very strong, as strong as ever," she added.

Other riding plans

Other riding plans for the Superstakes, which will more than likely be contested by 12 starters, are as follows:

Winston Grifiths to ride the

2004 winner DISTINCTLY IRISH

Richard Mitchell aboard the

2003 winner PITTACUS

Trevor Simpson (ROYAL RUN)

Charles Hussey (GOOD COMPANY)

Wesley Henry (UNTOUCHABLE)

U.S.-based Andrew Ramgeet

(ALLIED FORCE).

Henry is slated to ride the ante-post favourite RAMPAGE for owner/trainer Richard Azan in the Red Stripe Caribbean Sprint over 1200 metres.