The Gr 2 Betting World 1900 turned out to be the best pointer to last year’s Vodacom Durban July so will be watched with keen interest by punters tonight, although it is overall a slightly weaker contest than last year’s event according to official merit ratings.

The Listed East Coast Cup over 2000m is another classy race the purist can look forward to.

Big things were expected of Greek Legend in the three-year-old classics last year, but he was side-lined with a suspensory injury. He showed his class last time out at Turffontein over 1600m when rocketing home from a seemingly beaten position to end the unbeaten record of Chepardo. Trainer Mike Azzie regards him as “way better” than his 91 merit rating, so he could overcome his official weight disadvantage. Judging by his relaxed gait, he should not be bothered by the new course or running under lights, and his usual blinkers should help too. His tremendous turn of foot should make him suited to the track and a false rail of three metres should ensure his good draw of two is favourable. He is a half-brother to Gold Cup winner Wavin’ Flag so should have no problem seeing out the trip.

Master’s Eye is an eyecatching individual and having looked at the stands for virtually the entire length of the straight at Scottsville last time, the fitting of blinkers make him an interesting contender. He has a good draw and gets the trip.

Solid Speed possesses a touch of class and although best suited to further his easiest career win was over tonight’s distance on the Greyville poly.

The Conglomerate stayed on quite well in the IOS Drill Hall and will be ideally course and distance suited, but has a tricky draw.

St Tropez has class and being by Silvano should come into his own this season. He has won returning from a layoff before.

Dynamic should be cherry ripe and the yard would have made him a big runner from a better draw.

Master Switch won well over 2000m last time, beating Greek Legend comfortably, but the latter likely needed it in his first race for six months and will now be 3,5kg better off.

Halve The Deficit will be a big runner if reproducing his Vodacom Durban July run off this lowered merit rating. He wasn’t disgraced in the Premier’s Champions Challenge last time and is better suited to Greyville.

His stablemate Gold Onyx is well known for his short run in and can never be written off at Greyville.

Serissa should ensure a good pace for his stablemates.

Last year’s winner Dynastic Power jumps from an even wider draw and has it a bit tougher at the weights but has enjoyed a good preparation.

King Of Pain has proven class, but is unpredictable. His best career victory followed a similar layoff.

It Is Written will be a runner provided he settles in his first attempt at this trip as he tends to be a bit headstrong, but has a fine turn of foot.

Night Shadow is 4,5kg under sufferance but has been an immature sort who is on the way up and there is not much between him and both Dynastic Power and It Is Written.

The selection is Greek Legend to beat Master’s Eye with Solid Speed, Halve The Deficit and St. Tropez next best.

The East Coast Cup could also produce a good value winner in Zante. Her fourth place finish in last year’s Gr 1 Woolavington 2000 was against some of the best of a vintage crop and she had too much to do when finishing strongly in the Scarlet Lady last time over the too sharp 1750m.

Gallica Rose has plenty of class and will be a worthy favourite over an ideal course and distance.

Deputy Ryder is also course and distance suited and seems to thrive in KZN.

Intergalactic is an improving sort who is proven over the trip.

Tonya is also on the way up and caught the eye last time when winning well at Scottsville over 1950m.

They are selected in the order mentioned.

There are some good horses in the other six races on the card, which starts with two interesting Juvenile Plates over 1400m.

Secret Captain was green and far from tuned up when running on to win over 1200m on debut at Scottsville and will appreciate the step up in trip in the first. He is likely to improve and will need to in order to beat Misty Birnam and Lee’s Star.

Sail will relish the step up in trip in the second and can exact revenge on Princess Analia.

Alexis thrives in KZN and loves Greyville so is the one to beat in the third over an ideal 1400m with Marcus up from a good draw.

Paterfamilias has shown this season why he has always been well regarded and can win the fourth running fresh over too sharp a trip, but if he fluffs his lines his stable mate Night Trip can go in.

Captain’s Vista caught the eye with a fluent finish to win a 1600m maiden at Scottsville and from pole position has a chance in the seventh over 1400m as he should progress. The step down in trip might not be ideal and Fantasy Art and a few others could also be included.

Lookamee looks likely to relish the course and distance of the last and is well drawn with Marcus up.

By David Thiselton