The Might And Power Stakes has once again proven a difficult race for favourite backers, with another odds-on chance faltering at Caulfield.
The $1.40 favourite, Sheza Alibi, was the latest to be defeated in the Group 1 2000m weight-for-age event on Saturday. This follows similar outcomes with Treasurethe Moment ($1.60) last year, Mr Brightside ($1.75 in 2024), and Zaaki ($1.28 in 2021).
Adding to the surprise, Saturday’s winner Land Legend was a $61 outsider, with only Torranzino ($101) having longer odds.
Steered to the lead by jockey Ethan Brown, Land Legend managed to hold off a determined Sheza Alibi by a short-head. Birdman ($4.40) finished a further 1-¼ lengths back in third, setting a new course record time of 2.00.30.
Trainer Ciaron Maher commented that Land Legend seemed to benefit from the Good 3 track conditions on Saturday, which had been upgraded from a Good 4 after the third race.
“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 stated. “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.”.
Maher 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.”.
He added, “I thought coming down the side he’ll have a kick. I’m just thrilled.”
Maher revealed that the decision was made by him and his team to transfer Land Legend from the Cranbourne stable to their Ballarat base.
He suggested that training on the uphill track at Ballarat had significantly improved the imported galloper’s performance.
“We thought we would move him up there because he can be a bit unruly and we thought just doing a bit of extra every day up that hill gallop would be ideal,” Maher explained. “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 attempt at the Caulfield Cup is now being considered by Maher, though he noted concerns about the capacity field of 18 runners and the tighter run to the first turn.
Land Legend finished third in the 2024 Caulfield Cup but came last in the race last year.
“It was the right set-up today,” Maher remarked. “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, expressed no disappointment with the mare, noting it was her first attempt at the 2000m distance.
The mare is now set for a rest before targeting 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.”
Considering the form shown, Land Legend could be a contender in future feature races, with bookmakers offering competitive racing odds on upcoming events.