by Jimmie, Star Racing Writer

MIRACLE MAN's quest to land a historic third consecutive Horse-of-the-Year title continues Monday afternoon when he faces five rivals including top three-year-olds, RUM TALK and THE BOMBER, in the 2000-metre Governor General's Stakes.

MIRACLE MAN redeemed himself but was far from convincing when putting away Open Allowance runner, MAJOR MAYER, at a mile on September 15 following his shocking loss to old rival DISTINCTLY IRISH in the August 6 Prime Minister's Stakes.

The Prime Minister's Stakes loss was MIRACLE MAN's first defeat since last November when the big chestnut colt won his second Red Stripe Superstakes. He created history the following month, becoming the first Jamaican horse to win the regional Confraternity Classic, which was run in Puerto Rico.

However, the 'away jinx', which has dogged local horses which travel outside Jamaica to compete, seemed to have hit the Billy Williams-trained champion runner, who lost the Prime Minister's Stakes after returning from an eight-month lay-up.

His loss to DISTINCTLY IRISH opened up the race for Horse-of-the-Year honours between him and the Philip Feanny-trained runner.

With the racing year winding down and the Superstakes less than a month away, MIRACLE MAN has started building his stocks for a second title defence.

Monday's Governor General's Stakes should land the five-year-old horse his 18th win in 24 starts, but after being ridden out to shake off MAJOR MAYER when last out, rival connections are still questioning his form.

Sitting level

His rivals will be coming in super light, especially ALLIEDFORCE, who was only five lengths behind in the Prime Minister's Stakes when sitting level at 55.0 kilos with the champion horse.

ALLIEDFORCE will now carry 51.0 to MIRACLE MAN's 60.5, a 21 lb weight swing.

RUM TALK, this year's 2000 Guineas and St. Leger winner, comes in at 50.0 kilos, seven lb lighter than when he finished almost 10 lengths behind MIRACLE MAN on September 15, but still looks held by the older horses.

The other three-year-olds in the event, Governor's Cup winner IL CAIMANO and Derby champion THE BOMBER, are also light at 48.0 and 49.5 kilos, respectively, but similar to RUM TALK, lack the class of MIRACLE MAN.

THE BOMBER has pace but won't have an uncontested lead whereas IL CAIMANO, although looking improved when winning at 1820 metres on August 29, could struggle to keep up with the field.

ALLIEDFORCE is best equipped to pull off the upset but MIRACLE MAN should once again use his superior pace and class to run rivals into the ground and find extra if challenged up the lane.

Jackpots at $2m

Barring any carryovers from today's meet, Monday's twin Pick-6 each has guaranteed payouts of $500,000 and the Pick-9 will start at its usual $1million guarantee.

RIGGED TO WIN in the second, TANTESOLDE in the fourth and BORN FIGHTER in the fifth are five-star bankers whereas NUMERO UNO could get decent odds in the nightpan.