Leading Vodacom Durban July fancy Marinaresco will stay in Cape Town for another fortnight as Mike Bass puts the final touches to his preparation.

Marinaresco (Liesl King)

The gelding is second favourite with some layers and Candice Robinson said: “The horse won’t travel to Durban until a week before the July gallops  (June 23).”

The Winter Guineas and Classic winner has worn blinkers in his last three races, starting with his third to Its My Turn in the Investec Cape Derby in January, and he will again wear them in the great race on July 2. Last year’s winner Power King was the first blinkered horse to land the July since Eyeofthetiger (also trained by Dean Kannemeyer) in 2006.

Most horses that wear blinkers do so to help them concentrate on the race and often because they have not been putting it all in. But the reason for fitting them to Marinaresco is slightly different – “Otherwise he wants to fight with other horses!” Mrs Robinson explained.

Ante-post betting for the Gr1 Vodacom Durban July courtesy of www.trackandball.co.za

4-1 Black Arthur; 13-2 Bela-Bela; 7-1 Marinaresco; 8-1 Its My Turn; 10-1 Abashiri; 11-1 Legal Eagle; 12-1 Solid Speed, Rabada, St Tropez; 13-1 French Navy; 15-1 Mac De Lago, Deo Juvente, The Conglomerate; 28-1 Mambo Mime; 30-1 Rocketball; 33-1 Paterfamilias, Negroamaro, Ten Gun Salute, Dynamic; 40-1 Master Sabina; 45-1 Samurai Blade, New Predator, Judicial; 50-1 Trophy Wife, Balance Sheet; 66-1 Prospect Strike; 80-1 The Centenary; 125-1 Punta Arenas; 150-1 Olma, Saratoga Dancer, Bankable Teddy, Romany Prince, Master Switch; 200/1 upwards the others

By Michael Clower