Tears flowed freely when promising three-year-old Snitzkraft scored an emotional win at Ipswich on Saturday.
Snitzkraft, the $2 favourite, led all the way to run a class-record time in winning the Daimler Trucks Brisbane Handicap.
It was a great way for his trainer Kelso Wood, who prepares the colt in a partnership with Patricia Gesler, to also make his return to the track after a serious illness.
Wood went into hospital for two operations but developed pneumonia and ended up in intensive care for a couple of weeks.
"I am out about now and it is good to be back to the track. It was a good win," an emotional Wood said.
Snitzkraft was having his first start since Wood and Gesler called off his winter carnival campaign after he ran sixth in the Group II Champagne Classic (1200m) at Doomben on May 13.
The colt had a big wrap on him after winning two of his early starts including the $125,000 Sunshine Coast Two-Year-Old Classic (1200m) in January.
But Wood and Gesler didn't want to risk him on unsuitable tracks for the rest of the winter.
Gesler was in tears after the win as she and Wood were congratulated by everyone from stewards to rival owners.
"It has been a really rough few months. I am so happy for Kelso and the horse," Gesler said.
Snitzkraft is nominated for the $400,000 Blue Sapphire Stakes at Caulfield on October 18 but no decision will be made on him going interstate until at least next week.
- By Mark Oberhardt (AAP)
