The Might And Power has continued to be a graveyard for punters with another odds-on favourite going down at Caulfield.
The $1.40 favourite Sheza Alibi was the latest to go under in the Group 1 2000m weight-for-age contest on Saturday after Treasurethe Moment ($1.60) last year, Mr Brightside ($1.75 in 2024) and Zaaki ($1.28 in 2021).
ONE OF THE GREAT UPSETS. LAND LEGEND 🤯
A Might And Power Stakes for the ages sees Sheza Alibi defeated at $1.40!
@Brown_ethan8 @Cmaherracing https://t.co/Aw7Qgusnwx
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) October 10, 2026
To make matters worse, Saturday’s victor Land Legend was sent off a $61 outside with only Torranzino ($101) rated longer.
Taken to the front by Ethan Brown, Land Legend held off a brave Sheza Alibi by a short-head with Birdman ($4.40) a further 1-¼ lengths away third in a new course record time of 2.00.30.
Trainer Ciaron Maher said Land Legend had appreciated the Good 3 track on Saturday that had been upgraded from a Good 4 after three 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 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.
“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.
“I thought coming down the side he’ll have a kick.
“I’m just thrilled.”
Maher said he and the team made the decision to transfer Land Legend from the Cranbourne stable to its base at Ballarat.
He said working on the uphill track at Ballarat had worked wonders 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.”
A third attempt at the Caulfield Cup will be considered by Maher, although a capacity field of 18 and a shorter run to the first turn, is a cause for concern.
Land Legend ran third in the 2024 Caulfield Cup before finishing last, last year.
“It was the right set-up today,” Maher said.
“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 partnered Seza Alibi said he was not disappointed with the mare who was having her first try at 2000m.
The mare will now be freshened for a tilt 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.”
