Tap O’Noth is favoured

TAP O’NOTH is favourite to give Vaughan Marshall a fifth Cape Guineas win – despite a terrible draw – in the Forussponsored classic at Kenilworth on Saturday.

The Cape Classic winner is 5-1 with Betting World and 9-2 with World Sports Betting but for Marshall the 15 out of 15 pen is a case of déjà vu.

The Milnerton trainer, Vaughan Marsha, and stable jockey MJ Byleveld have worked out what they are going to do.

The colt has not raced since the end of October but Marshall has no reservations about his fitness.

Marshall said: “He has done well since the Classic and he galloped a mile with two other horses on the course last Saturday week.

“MJ rode him, he went well and I was very happy with him. He will definitely appreciate the longer straight on Saturday as he is a big, long-striding horse.”

Marshall added: “For me, it’s no different to a maiden race. I still get excited with a maiden and I will be excited with this race too. But I might just get a bit more nervous and be harder to live with!”

White River is second favourite at 13-2 with Betting World which goes 7-1 Rocket Countdown, Do It Again, 8-1 Bold Respect, Undercover Agent, 9-1 Captain And Master, 10-1 and upwards others.

A notable absentee is Cape Merchants second Dutch Philip. Candice Bass-Robinson, who will be represented by Selangor winner Rocket Countdown, has decided to keep him for the $500 000 CTS 1200 on Met day.