The punters finally got a couple over Shaun Beirne and Bet Legends during the week, but that has not dulled his appetite to take on punters.
If anything, it has sharpened it.
The famous bookmaking name is back doing what he does best, standing firm against the market and daring punters to come at him again. This week, the challenge comes in the shape of the most talked-about two-year-old in the country.
Guest House.
Current Blue Diamond favourite.
$1.90 and, if anything, firming in Saturday’s Blue Diamond Prelude.
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr trained colt has done little wrong to date. He looked sharp winning at Cranbourne. Heavily backed, he was soft on the line, and now heads to Caulfield as the dominant favourite in the Blue Diamond Prelude. The hype is real and the money has followed.
Beirne is more than happy to be on the other side of it.
Caulfield R3 – Guest House
There is no attempt to dismiss what Guest House has done so far. Beirne acknowledges the performance and the optics.
“Obviously he was good to the eye at Cranbourne and the clock was reasonable,” Beirne said.
Cranbourne Race 4 I Guest House
Guest House does it easyily on debut 🤯 @MickPriceRacing‘s 2YO colt lives up to the hype on debut, despite some mid-race antics.
📺 Ch. 78/68, Foxtel 529, Kayo or via our app
REPLAYS: https://t.co/ZIa4a034ry pic.twitter.com/9QQiLEouH5— Racing.com (@Racing) December 27, 2025
The issue, in Beirne’s view, is how far the market has run with that performance when it is measured against this field.
“The rating was not as dominant as the market is suggesting when you compare him to this group,” he said.
Where the market is implying Guest House holds a clear 1.25-length edge over his rivals, Beirne’s numbers tell a much tighter story.
“I have him closer to half a length superior,” he said.
“And there are several genuine chances in behind him.”
At short odds in a two-year-old race, that gap matters.
“If punters want to storm the barracks and pile into him at this price, they are welcome to – we are happy to stand him and will be top odds throughout betting.”
Randwick R6 – Cinsault
Beirne is going back to the well in Sydney, even after being caught out last time.
“In for a penny, in for a pound,” he said.
“I was against him last start and he made me look naive.”
Cinsault has clearly improved this preparation, something Beirne is happy to concede.
“He has definitely lifted his rating across three runs this preparation. He really turned the corner when winning his maiden at the end of his time with James Cummings.”
That said, Beirne is not convinced he has the right setup today.
“He had everything in his favour last time. This setup looks different.”
A wider barrier and a less forgiving run shape raise questions at the current price.
“I cannot see him getting the same run,” Beirne said.
“And he needs to improve another 1.5 lengths on his last start rating to justify where the market has him.”
Bookmaking with conviction
A quieter week has not changed the approach. Beirne continues to trust his numbers, hold his ground and invite punters to test their confidence.
Whether it is standing the Blue Diamond favourite in Melbourne or taking on a last start winner in Sydney, the message remains the same.
If you want to storm the barracks, the door is open.
Beirne will be waiting on the other side.
Take us on.
