Sent out at prohibitive odds to record her fourth elite level victory, Sheza Alibi was unable to run down race leader Land Legend (FR) as the son of super sire Galileo (IRE) proved too hard to catch in the $1m G1 MRC Might And Power Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield.
While it will go down as one of the biggest upsets for some time, it’s worth noting that the winner isn’t a one trick pony, having also won the 2024 G1 ATC Metropolitan (2400m) before third in the G1 MRC Caulfield Cup (2400m) at his next start.
Having initially been trained internationally by James Ferguson before coming to Australia, the gelding then headed to the Chris Waller yard and more recently has been part of the Ciaron Maher stable.
With Ethan Brown in the saddle, Land Legend went forward from the inside gate where he took up the running with the G1-winning grey Kingswood (GB) sitting in second.
Second favourite Birdman (IRE), a last start winner of the G1 Underwood Stakes, sat handy in third with Sheza Albi tracking closely in fourth position.
With little change in the six horse field for the majority of the race, Land Legend took the field along at a nice gallop, going six or seven lengths clear.
Heading into the home turn, Land Legend still had the lead as Kingswood came to his outside to challenge but couldn’t pass him and while Sheza Albi appeared to labour a little before making her run, the 4yo mare powered strongly to the line to go down by a narrow, short head margin.
One and a quarter lengths back in third was Birdman, just ahead of Kingswood who produced another solid effort in top class company.
Might And Power | Land Legend What just happened?! Land Legend has stolen the Might And Power with daring tactics & records a NEW track record ???? ?? Ch. 78/68, Foxtel 529, Kayo or via our app REPLAYS: https://t.co/HEhdpozFmy CAULFIELD-ONLY LIVE: https://t.co/ZyYNNgqbuL https://t.co/16oqTNDpLP
— Racing.com (@Racing) October 10, 2026
Having now won a G1 with both Waller and now Maher, the leading trainer was on course to discuss the course record breaking victory as they stopped the clock at a blistering 2:00.30 seconds.
“He’s a legend now,” enthused Maher. “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. 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. I can’t thank the Ballarat team enough. 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. 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.”
Having raced in the last two Caulfield Cups, Maher was asked would he contest a third?
“He could,” said Maher. “It was the right set-up today. 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 and I’m thrilled”
Having ridden him on a few occasions, jockey Ethan Brown knew he had the stamina to run well.
“I said to Ciaron and Jack that it had a bit of a Globe feel about it. Globe won the race last year and he beat Treasurethe Moment at $1.20. Small field, blindfold off today and I think he was a bit sharper in the gates. Especially stepping away.
“He’s a rock-hard fit horse. He’s won over 2600 (metres) bowling along so I was happy to make it a staying test. It was all the horse. I was in the back seat for most of the race. Masterclass training effort. I’m just pleased to get the job done. I’ve upset a few punters out there, I’m sure.
“He’s half mad. I knew he would keep running. Whether he had to stamina to keep doing after rolling at a pretty solid gallop, I wasn’t sure if he needed the run again, but you can never doubt Ciaron Maher. He had him in great order, the race worked out perfectly and I’m glad they ran him.”
A €100,000 purchase for Avenue Bloodstock from the Monceaux draft at the 2021 Arqana October Yearling Sale, Land Legend is clearly the best of three winners from five to the races out of the winning Dansili mare Landikusic, a sister to G1 Phoenix stakes winner and former shuttler Zoffany and a half-sister to G2 winner and multiple G1 placed Rostropovich (Frankel), and G3 winner Wilshire Boulevard (Holy Roman Emperor).
Land Legend is one of 104 individual G1 winners for Coolmore’s Galileo, who passed away in 2021.
