Gold Coast trainer Howard Wilson's stocks for next month's $1 million Magic Millions Trophy will soar if talented colt Spot On Target makes a successful comeback at Eagle Farm.Wilson emerged with a serious contender for the January 9 feature when stablemate Fifteen Carat produced an astonishing victory over 1400 metres at Eagle Farm last month.Fifteen Carat, a $25,000 purchase, got up in the last stride to book a Magic Millions Trophy berth but Wilson believes Spot On Target is a superior three-
Gold Coast trainer Howard Wilson's stocks for next month's $1 million Magic Millions Trophy will soar if talented colt Spot On Target makes a successful comeback at Eagle Farm.
Wilson emerged with a serious contender for the January 9 feature when stablemate Fifteen Carat produced an astonishing victory over 1400 metres at Eagle Farm last month.
Fifteen Carat, a $25,000 purchase, got up in the last stride to book a Magic Millions Trophy berth but Wilson believes Spot On Target is a superior three-year-old.
Spot On Target, who cost $33,000 at the Magic Millions sales, makes his comeback in Saturday's Gold Edition Plate (1200m), a race also earmarked as the return of Sires' Produce Stakes winner Shoot Out from the John Wallace stable.
Spot On Target finished sixth, less than four lengths behind Shoot Out, in the Group Two Sires (1400m) at Eagle Farm in May before his last-start second to Linky Dink in the Group One TJ Smith (1600m) at the same track on June 6.
Wilson has given the son of Markane two barrier trials in preparation for his comeback.
The colt finished sixth of seven to Frosty over 1060 metres at Doomben on November 10 before his second to Kryptelon over 1000 metres at the Gold Coast last week.
"He's coming along nicely and I was very pleased with his last trial when he led," Wilson said.
"He jumped so quick in the TJ Smith he led but he then put his foot in a hole on the heavy track and blundered.
"It might not have cost him the race but he was only beaten two lengths and he should have finished a lot closer."
Wilson has had a big opinion of both three-year-olds who are likely to clash next in the Listed Vo Rogue Plate (1350m) at Doomben on Boxing Day.
"I've always thought Spot On Target was better than Fifteen Carat but I can't believe the improvement Fifteen Carat has made since his last win," Wilson said.
"Spot On Target was by far the better of the two early on. The day he won his maiden at Caloundra he went within a whisker of breaking Swiss Ace's record."
Jim Byrne will partner Spot On Target in the Gold Edition Plate after Stathi Katsidis turned down Wilson's first offer.
Katsidis will instead partner Shoot Out who will be having his first start since finishing seventh in the TJ Smith.
Wilson is hoping to entice Melbourne-based jockey Glen Boss north to test Spot On Target in the Vo Rogue Plate and hopefully in the 1400-metre Magic Millions Trophy at the Gold Coast.