Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

MIRACLE MAN bounced back to winning form at Caymanas Park yesterday but the two-time 'Horse of the Year' had to be driven out to win the Owen Silvera Memorial Cup open allowance feature over 1600 metres, ahead of MAJOR MAYER.

Installed a 2-5 favourite with 2kg claiming apprentice Andre Martin aboard, MIRACLE MAN, stepping down in class to vie for this trophy, made virtually all to win by 1 3/4 lengths. The illustrious 5-y-o horse from the stables of veteran 'Hall of Fame' trainer Allan 'Billy' Williams, upstaged the very game top weight MAJOR MAYER (17-1), who not only ensured he was extended but gave his supporters some anxious moments when challenging strongly on the inside leaving the furlong pole.

MIRACLE MAN, running with only 55kg, led narrowly from the rank outsider TOBAGO (57-1) in the seven-strong field, closely followed by MAJOR MAYER under customary rider Richie Mitchell, with the highly-fancied, three-year-old colt RUM TALK, winner of this year's 2000 Guineas and St. Leger, outpaced in sixth position.

MAJOR MAYER was 3 1/4 lengths clear of the 2006 Governor's Cup and St. Leger winner ALLIEDFORCE (24-1) in third, while RUM TALK ran below expectations (outpaced) to finish 10 lengths fifth.

Owned and bred by Joseph 'Fudgie' Duany, MIRACLE MAN, who was racing for only the second time this season, notched his first win since his historic victory in the US$100,000 Confraternity Classic in Puerto Rico on December 9 last year.

responded well

Young Martin, who said it was a privilege to be offered the ride aboard such a famous horse, added: "My instructions were to rate him and ride him up the lane. He responded well to stave off the challenge of Major Mayer, but I was not really perturbed when he came upsides."

Meanwhile, hot apprentice Javour Simpson followed up last Wednesday's triple with another comprising the Desmond Shand-trained SCHIZANDRA a 2-5 favourite in the second race for the Mark Twain Trophy, NIJINSKY'S WAR at 3-2 in the third and OLE KING COLE at 7-2 in the seventh to move to 44 winners - four adrift of leading jockey Trevor Simpson who rode two winners in 5-1 shots COCK ROBIN and ASKAWOMAN in the overnight allowance sprint. Apprentice Omar Walker, who did not ride yesterday, is second in the standings with 45 winners. Champion trainer Wayne DaCosta posted two winners on the card in the 2-y-o debutante THE REAL STREAM and AITCHEMESBEAGLE, both with Dane Nelson astride.