The comings and the goings - news from Summerveld

Lion’s Blood, winner of the 2007 Dingaans, is back in SA after his overseas campaign and has now been gelded. He arrived at Summerveld 3 weeks ago and will remain with the Herman Brown yard where he will be prepared for the forthcoming JHB spring season. He’s likely to make his first appearance or two here in KZN before contesting the November Handicap en route to the Summer Cup.

A chance encounter on the training tracks yesterday between visiting trainer Tyrone Zackey and Lion's Blood from the Herman Brown yard. Zackey is Lion's Blood's former trainer and selected him at the 2006 yearling sales.

Staying with trainer Herman Brown; jockey Raymond Danielson has teamed up to take the position as stable jock and this combination should be followed closely in the coming months. Behind the scenes awaits a highly anticipated crop of 2 year olds and they’re due to debut here from September, before heading off to Cape Town to chase early black type during the Summer.

Brett Smith is back in the saddle after sustaining a serious neck injury last year during November at Greyville. He’s on the slow road to recovery and has started riding work locally to get back to racing fitness. Once ready he will return to JHB and resume his race riding career.

Chip Taylor has returned to SA following a 7 year riding stint in Dubai and beyond. He’s currently based at Summerveld and brings a wealth of international experience to the local scene. Keep an eye out for his return to a racetrack near you.

Big City Life will return home this week-end and be treated to a champion earned rest in a very large paddock. He will then re-emerge in preparation for the Cape season and the coveted Queen’s Plate and J’nB Met. Whether Pocket Power will be around to stand in his way remains to be seen as the connections are seriously considering an overseas campaign for him (Pocket Power). A decision is likely to be made shortly after his run in the Champion’s Cup this weekend – go for a historical 4th consecutive Met/Queen’s Plate double and take on Big City Life, or chase the big bucks overseas and a chance to prove just how good he really is against world class opposition.