Poots looks to his lucky charm for next winner

By Glenn Davis

Veteran Rockhampton trainer John Poots is hoping to be back in the winner’s stall for only the third time in as many years with his lucky charm Snazzy Snitzel at Callaghan Park on Thursday.

Poots is one of the gentlemen of Central Queensland racing but has gone through a horrid time in recent years.

Poots suffered serious brain injuries following a fall on his property in July of 2023 and was rushed to hospital in Brisbane for emergency surgery.

After a lengthy hospital stay and two surgeries, Poots has fought back and is now doing what he does best - train winners.

“I’m still doing rehabilitation, but I can’t ride my horses work anymore," Poots said. 

“I’ve only got two horses in work, Snazzy Snitzel and a baby.

“Snazzy Snitzel has turned into a nice horse as he had to have a throat operation when I first got him.”

Poots underwent two surgeries in hospital and is still doing rehabilitation following his serious spill.

“I was in hospital for six months and had two major operations on my brain,” Poots said.

“I used to do shoeing before the fall, but I can’t do that now. But, I still manage to do some chiropractic work.”

Snazzy Snitzel is part-owned by Poots and his wife Louise.

The galloper gave the Rockhampton conditioner an emotional victory with his first starter back after a long break from training when the gelding won at Rockhampton in August last year.

Poots had to wait 12 months for his next winner which, ironically, was with Snazzy Snitzel at Rockhampton in August.

“It was close, but it was a tough win,” Poots said.

“He’s been working well since his win and there’s not much more, I can ask from him.

“I think he should go well again.”

The six-year-old son of Snitzel began his career in Sydney with Richard and Will Freedman.

“Natalea Summers has been doing a lot of work riding him in trackwork,” Poots said.

Poots was at the top of his game as a trainer in the early 2000s and rated Final Handout as one of his best gallopers.

“He won three in a row at Rockhampton one year, but he had an accident when I was getting him ready to race in Brisbane,” Poots said.