The Might And Power Stakes at Caulfield has once again claimed an odds-on favourite, continuing its notorious reputation among punters.
Sheza Alibi, the $1.40 market leader, was the latest to falter in the Group 1 2000m weight-for-age contest on Saturday. This mirrors the fate of Treasurethe Moment ($1.60) last year, Mr Brightside ($1.75 in 2024), and Zaaki ($1.28 in 2021).
Adding to the shock result, Saturday’s victor Land Legend was a $61 outsider, with only Torranzino ($101) rated longer in the betting.
Under jockey Ethan Brown’s guidance, Land Legend took the lead and held off a strong challenge from Sheza Alibi to win by a short-head. Birdman ($4.40) finished third, a further 1-¼ lengths behind, in a new course record time of 2.00.30.
Trainer Ciaron Maher noted that Land Legend performed best on the Good 3 track on Saturday, which had been upgraded from a Good 4 after three races had been run.
“He ran his best race for us on a firm deck at Flemington, I think it was, and we thought with a muddling tempo we would go forward,” Maher said. “I said to Brownie to keep him happy as he has a lot of fights with a lot of riders in trackwork and on race day.”.
He continued, “I thought it was a race where they might leave him alone, but I didn’t know he was going to go that quick. He did look happy during the run. He had his ears pricked. He was going quick, but he looked like he was enjoying himself, and so did Brownie.”.
Maher added, “I thought coming down the side he’ll have a kick. I’m just thrilled.”
Maher disclosed that the decision to transfer Land Legend from the Cranbourne stable to their Ballarat base was a collective one by him and his team.
He believes that the conditioning received from working on the uphill track at Ballarat has been instrumental for the imported galloper.
“We thought we would move him up there because he can be a bit unruly and we thought just doing a bit extra every day up that hill gallop would be ideal,” Maher stated. “I think he’s been up it three times this week. I didn’t come to the races thinking I was going to win a Group 1 today, but I’m thrilled.”
A third tilt at the Caulfield Cup is now a possibility for Land Legend, although Maher expressed concerns regarding the large field of 18 runners and the tight initial turn.
Land Legend secured third place in the 2024 Caulfield Cup, but finished last in the same race last year.
“It was the right set-up today,” Maher commented. “The Caulfield Cup can be a charge of the light-brigade to the first bend which wouldn’t really suit him. So, whether he runs in a Caulfield Cup and a Cox Plate, or whether he runs in the Cox Plate, it’s a good problem to have. It’s good to have him back in form.”
Luke Nolen, who rode Sheza Alibi, stated he was not disappointed with the mare, noting it was her inaugural attempt at the 2000m distance.
The mare is slated for a spell before being prepared for The Golden Eagle (1500m) at Randwick on October 31.
“For a race of no speed we found a bit,” Nolen said. “I came back to follow Birdman, she was good and solid through the line. She’s ticked that 2000-metre box, just hopefully the run hasn’t taken too much of a toll for the race in three weeks, but I was very proud of her today.”
Given his strong performance, Land Legend is now a name to watch for major races, and exploring Australian betting sites for future racing odds is recommended.
