Land Legend delivers shock Might And Power victory

The Might And Power Stakes has lived up to its reputation as a punting pitfall, with another favourite failing to salute at Caulfield.

The $1.40 elect, Sheza Alibi, was the latest to fall in the Group 1 2000m weight-for-age race on Saturday, a fate that befell Treasurethe Moment ($1.60) last year, Mr Brightside ($1.75 in 2024), and Zaaki ($1.28 in 2021).

Compounding the upset, Saturday's winner Land Legend started at the generous odds of $61, with only Torranzino ($101) considered a longer shot.

Sent to the front by jockey Ethan Brown, Land Legend fought on gamely to defeat Sheza Alibi by a short-head. Birdman ($4.40) secured third place, a further 1-¼ lengths adrift, in a new course record time of 2.00.30.

Trainer Ciaron Maher indicated that Land Legend thrived on the Good 3 track surface at Caulfield on Saturday, which had been upgraded from a Good 4 after three earlier races.

"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 explained. "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 added, "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 continued, "I thought coming down the side he'll have a kick. I'm just thrilled."

Maher also shared that the decision to move Land Legend from the Cranbourne stable to their Ballarat facility was a team effort.

He believes that the training regimen on the uphill track at Ballarat has been highly beneficial 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 said. "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."

Consideration is being given to a third start in the Caulfield Cup for Land Legend, though Maher expressed reservations about the 18-horse field and the sharp turn into the first bend.

Land Legend recorded a third-place finish in the 2024 Caulfield Cup and 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, the rider of Sheza Alibi, stated that he wasn't disappointed with the mare, who was making her first attempt at the 2000m distance.

The mare will now be spelled before being aimed at 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."

With this impressive performance, Land Legend has thrown his hat into the ring for major races, and exploring online bookmakers for future racing odds is advised.