Trainer Kelso Wood put the worst two years of his life behind him when his favourite horse Snitzkraft earned a Magic Millions carnival start by winning at Doomben.
Wood and his co trainer Patricia Gesler were both in tears after Snitzkraft ($.50) held on to beat Irish Constabulary ($21) by a neck in the Listed Falvelon Quality (1100m).
Snitzkraft was passed in at the Magic Millions Sales and had to win the Falvelon to earn a wild card into the $1million Magic Millions Sprint (1200m) on January 13.
“It has been the worst two years of my life. I nearly died twice this year and it has been a long rode back from illness,” Wood said.
“But one thing that has kept me going is this horse. When you have a horse as good as him it is something to live for.”
“We missed running him as a two year old at the Millions but we have got a wild card now and he will be a real chance.”
Gesler has stuck with Wood through thick and thin and was thrilled with the win.
“I am glad for the owners, I am good for the horse but it and is great fro Kelso,’ she said.
Snitzkraft is raced by a syndicate headed by long time Wood client Mick Power and includes AFL legend Leigh Matthews.