Mike Azzie’s Gr 2 Betting World 1900 contender Greek Legend will officially be 2kg under sufferance in Friday night’s race at Greyville, but Azzie regards this son of Black Minnaloushe as “way better” than his current 91 merit rating.

He elaborated, “We always rated Greek Legend better than Deputy Jud before he was hurt, and Deputy Jud finished third in the Gr 1 SA Classic and second in the Gr 1 SA Derby (before winning the Gr 2 Supreme Cup over 1450m on the Vaal sand).”

Greek Legend arrived at Summerveld the week after his win at Turffontein on April 30. That day, in a MR 102 handicap over 1600m, the blinkered gelding was making steady progress down the straight, but was a bit tight for room. However, when seeing daylight he found another rocket-like gear, which propelled him to the front from a seemingly beaten position.

He suffered a suspensory injury midway through his three-year-old season and his last outing was only his third run since February 2015.

He appears to be thriving at Summerveld and Azzie said, “He has improved a lot in soundness and fitness. He is eating well and has shed the winter coat he had, his coat now has a lovely sheen to it.”

Jockey JP van der Merwe mentioned only two horses he rides which could be followed for the rest of the season when being interviewed shortly after his J&B Met victory on Smart Call. One of them was Greek Legend.

From a draw of three and carrying only 54kg, Greek Legend looks to be a big runner tomorrow night, provided he takes to the new course and the lights, and as one who relaxes superbly in the running and has a fine turn of foot there is no reason why he shouldn’t.

David Thiselton