Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

MIRACLE MAN looks the horse to beat in today's feature, the Owen Silvera Memorial Cup over 1600 metres. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

MAKING FULL use of the conditions governing stakes and open allowance races, two-time 'Horse of the Year' MIRACLE MAN is tipped to resume his winning ways when he steps down in class to contest the Owen Silvera Memorial Cup over 1600 metres at Caymanas Park today.

Trained by the veteran Hall of Famer Allan 'Billy' Williams for popular owner Joseph 'Fudgie' Duany, MIRACLE MAN failed in his bid to make it 11 in a row when beaten into third place by arch-rival DISTINCTLY IRISH in the $1.1 million Prime Minister's Stakes over 2000 metres when last raced on August 6, but will be better for that pipeopener.

Leg operation

MIRACLE MAN was having his first race since his historic victory in the US$100,000 Confraternity Classic in Puerto Rico on December 9 last year. He was sidelined following a leg operation in January and clearly needed the run in the PM Stakes, even though installed a 1-2 favourite under leading jockey Trevor Simpson.

Now better for the run and with no DISTINCTLY IRISH around, it shouldn't be much of a race with MIRACLE MAN now set to carry 57kg, minus the apprentice Andre Martin's 2kg claiming allowance.

MIRACLE MAN looked sharp at exercise on Tuesday morning when galloping five furlongs in 1:00.4 with Martin astride and, with his preparation complete, should have little difficulty in leading home his six opponents as he represents the class horse of the field.

The competition

Included in the line-up is NATURAL DESIRE who had MIRACLE MAN behind when finishing a strong second to DISTINCTLY IRISH in the Prime Minister's Stakes, beaten 1 1/2 lengths.

At the revised weights, NATURAL DESIRE should be chasing his shadow. A bigger danger to MIRACLE MAN must surely be the classy three-year-old colt RUM TALK, who is out for the first time since his impressive victory in the July 7 St. Leger.

From the stables of leading trainer Philip Feanny, RUM TALK, who also won the Jamaica Licensed Bookmakers 2000 Guineas over this trip back in April, has been burning up the track at exercise in preparation for this trophy sitting pretty near to MIRACLE MAN in this his first race against older horses, the Royal Minister - Good As Gold offspring looks best equipped to carry the fight with title-chasing jockey Oneil Mullings aboard.

Secondary feature

Secondary feature on the 10-race programme is the 3-y-o and up restricted allowance I for the Mark Twain Trophy also over 1600 metres.

This has attracted seven starters and indications are that victory will go to the much-improved SCHIZANDRA, the mount of in-form apprentice Javour Simpson. An unlucky loser against RUMOUR HAS IT on September 1, the Desmond Shand-trained 3-y-o filly looks a blot at the weights with a mere 49kg.

Other firm fancies on the card are CORDITE in the fourth race, MARKET BRIDLE in the fifth, LEAVE ME ALONE in the sixth, DOUBLE BOW ahead of ALNASKRA in the knotty overnight allowance sprint and the consistent MR. BUTCHER in the nightpan.