Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

MIRACLE MAN gained nods of approval as the best native-bred horse since 1977 Derby winner LEGAL LIGHT when he romped home in the graded stakes feature for the L.B. 'Bob' Mayall Memorial Cup over 1600 metres at Caymanas Park yesterday to be unbeaten in seven starts this season.

Ridden by champion jockey Brian Harding under customary top weight of 60.5kg (133lb), MIRACLE MAN, the reigning Horse of the Year, breezed home by 3 1/2 lengths to continue his sweep of the major trophy races.

Owned and bred by Joseph 'Fudgie' Duany and trained by the legendary Hall of Famer Allan 'Billy' Williams, the powerfully built 4-y-o chestnut colt by Law Of The Sea out of Hya, was not the best away from the number one post position but mended quickly to chase the out leader SEATTLE'S GIRL in a field of six. He disposed of her leaving the furlong pole to win in effortless fashion, ahead of the lightweights ROYAL COMMAND (9-1) and SEATTLE'S GIRL (7-2).

Sweep of grade one races

Since winning the Red Stripe Superstakes in November of last year, MIRACLE MAN has captured the Eros Trophy, Legal Light Trophy, Chairman's Trophy, WITRA Classic, Prime Minister's Stakes, Eileen Cliggott Trophy and now the 'Bob' Mayall Memorial Cup in an unprecedented sweep of grade one races.

As things now stand, his owner and trainer disclosed that plans are afoot to run him in Puerto Rico in a lucrative four-year-old race for regional horses in early December, the same day the Caribbean Classic will be run.

"Last year he missed the Caribbean Classic in Puerto Rico after we took him to Miami for quarantine and all was apparently in place, but this time there won't be any slip-ups," said Duany.

Williams added: "Preparations for the trip are being made from now and we are looking forward to the challenge ... we have the horse and we only need the opportunity," said the three-time champion trainer.

Duany, however, had the last word: "Miracle Man is the best horse ever born ya and run ya ... Him can run at Belmont and win."

Meanwhile, the Gary Subratie-trained UNTOUCHABLE (3-1), with apprentice Carlton Malcolm aboard, won the overnight allowance race for the Calvin O'Sullivan Memorial Cup over 1820 metres, while Garrett Arscott's lightly-raced 3-y-o gelding DOMINADOR (5-2), with Richie Mitchell astride, clinched the Knutsford Park Cup over 1200 metres on a day when Mitchell, Oneil Mullings and the promising apprentice, Andre Martin, rode two winners each.

American-bred LA PRESIDENTA, running at odds of 55-1, provided the day's major upset in the sixth race with Mitchell riding for trainer Anthony 'Baba' Nunes.