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Terry Butts to visit Cleo’s Poet in the State’s south-east.

Veteran north Queensland trainer Terry Butts will make a rare visit to the State's south-east, chasing a hat-trick of wins with Cleo's Poet at Beaudesert on Tuesday.

Butts, who turns 77 next month, retired from training four years ago after a distinguished career in the racing industry.

A former bookmaker and journalist, Butts switched to training in 1993 and has won most of the Cup races in North Queensland including the Bowen, Home Hill, Gordonvale, Ingham, Atherton and Cairns Cup.

He also trained two Cairns Amateur Cup winners as well as two Townsville Amateurs Cups.

"The day Vintage Crop won the Melbourne Cup was my last day as a bookmaker," Butts said.

Butts started his cadetship as a journalist at the Border Mail in Albury before eventually making his way to Hong Kong where he worked over a long period for four English newspapers.

Among his other achievements, Butts was the first English speaking race caller in Hong Kong.

"I retired from training about four years ago but I got bored so I decided to give it another go," Butts said.

"I only got this horse as I've trained for one of his owners, Bob Pack."