Glen Kotzen has already mapped out his Durban campaign plan for Investec Cape Derby winner Eyes Wide Open.

The Woodhill trainer said: “Eyes Wide Open pulled up great and he will now have a break before going to Durban where his main races will probably be the Daisy Guineas (6 May), the Daily News (2 June) and the Vodacom Durban July.”

But plans for stable companion Gold Standard are less certain. He was fourth in last year’s Sun Met but managed only ninth this time.

Kotzen said: “We were disappointed with him – the Met was meant to be his race – and we have no excuses. He will now go back to Drakenstein for a holiday and hopefully the change of scenery will make a difference.”

The Review Board finally meets for the first time since well before Christmas on Friday and one of the items high on the agenda is the 14-day interference suspension handed out to Grant van Niekerk for his handling of Just My Style in the Ready To Run Cup at Turffontein on 4 November.

Van Niekerk decided to let this one take its course so that the ban didn’t stop him riding in any of the big races in the Cape season. Unless the Review Board shows an unexpected – and uncharacteristic –display of leniency, the suspension will begin immediately after his next booked card. In other words the jockey-of-the-moment should be free to take all his eight mounts at Kenilworth on Saturday.

This is the Horses For Causes charity meeting and Western Cape Equine Trust chairman Ken Truter has collected some star stallion services for auction including nominations to What A Winter, Duke Of Marmalade, Twice Over and William Longsword. Half the proceeds go to the Trust’s racehorse rehoming programme and the other half to a group of charities that include the Grooms School Trust and the Jockey Academy bursary programme.

By Michael Clower