Shaun Beirne from Bet Legends is back with another edition of Take Us On, and he’s looking to build on recent successes – punters need to fight back against the Bet Legends head honcho.
The Toorak Handicap is firmly in his sights this Saturday, with Beirne keen to oppose the three runners at the top of the market. He’s also found a way to take on Jigsaw in the Schillaci Stakes, although there’s one short-priced favourite he’s not prepared to oppose.
Race 6: Schillaci Stakes
Jigsaw returns to the races after a remarkable preparation that yielded seven wins from eight starts. He’s clearly racing at the peak of his powers, but Beirne believes his first-up record makes him vulnerable at the price.
“Seven wins from eight starts last preparation. What could possibly go wrong?” Beirne said.
“Well, his sole defeat came first-up, and he’s won just one of seven first-up runs across his career.
“Obviously, he’s at the peak of his powers now and deserves to be favourite, but there’s just no value in his price.
“Ray Magnerio and Flying For Fun both have big ratings of their own to lean on, so there’s enough opposition here to make things interesting.”
Rather than simply laying Jigsaw to win, Beirne is happy to take a different approach. He wants to bet against the gelding producing the sort of dominant performance that became commonplace last preparation.
Special: Jigsaw to win by 1L+ at $5
Race 7: Might And Power Stakes
It’s not often Beirne gives a short-priced favourite his blessing, but Sheza Alibi is an exception.
The brilliant mare steps up to 2000m in the Might And Power Stakes, and while the distance presents a new challenge, Beirne isn’t convinced it’s enough to bring about her downfall.
“The only thing that could possibly beat Sheza Alibi is her not getting the 2000m, and I think that’s a big stretch,” Beirne said.
“This isn’t her grand final, but nor is it for Birdman, who is the obvious danger.
“Even at the short odds, I just can’t take her on today.”
No bet here for Beirne, who is happy to leave the race alone rather than manufacture a reason to oppose a horse he considers extremely difficult to beat.
Race 9: Toorak Handicap
The Toorak Handicap is where Beirne really wants to get involved.
After successfully opposing the three favourites in last Saturday’s Epsom Handicap, he’s identified a similar opportunity in another fiercely competitive Group 1 mile.
“We got the lot in the Epsom taking on the three favourites, and this looks like another bookies’ race,” Beirne said.
“Once again, those up in the weights and towards the top of the market look ripe to take on.”
Beirne has reservations about each of the three runners dominating betting, starting with Evaporate.
“Evaporate pulled up lame in the Rupert Clarke and needs a big bounce back. I just can’t take that leap of faith at his price.
“Lady Shenandoah also looks a false price. She had every chance in the same race and couldn’t get it done. She hasn’t won in her last 10 starts, spanning more than two preparations, and she’s simply too short.
“Regal Award was good first-up in the Rupert Clarke and has improved second-up in both career preparations. But he still needs to find at least another length to justify his current price.”
With question marks hanging over all three, Beirne believes the market is offering an opportunity to bet against the leading chances collectively rather than trying to identify the winner in a wide-open handicap.
Special: Any of Evaporate, Lady Shenandoah or Regal Award to win at $3
