Tap O’Noth is favourite to give Vaughan Marshall a fifth Cape Guineas win – despite a terrible draw – in the Forus-sponsored classic at Kenilworth on Saturday.

Vaughan Marshall

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. “Captain Al was drawn 16 out of 16 when he won in 2000 and last year William Longsword came from 13 out of 16,” he recalls. “So, while this year’s draw is not ideal either, we will take our chances.”

The Milnerton trainer and stable jockey M.J. Byleveld (successful on Le Drakaar in 2008) have already worked out what they are going to do.

Confirming that the horse has the necessary gate speed, Marshall says: “He will have to get out fast and get across. It’s no good trying to tuck him in but you can sit him anywhere.”

The colt (a son of Captain Al) has deliberately not raced since the end of October but Marshall has no reservations about his fitness. “He has done very well since the Classic and he galloped a mile with two other horses on the course last Saturday week. M.J. 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.”

Asked about dangers, Marshall shakes his head and says quietly: “We just need a bit of luck.”

Will he get a bit uptight beforehand or, after four such victories, does the 66-year-old take it all in his stride?  After all, he has been training for 36 years.

He grins. “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.

By Michael Clower