Veteran trainer Howard Wilson believes he can provide a winner for "long shot" punters in Saturday's $1 million Magic Millions Trophy at the Gold Coast.Wilson, who began training on the coastal strip 25 years ago, believes Spot On Target can cause an upset in the 1400-metre feature.Spot On Target, a Danny Nikolic mount, is a $71 chance with TAB Sportsbet with Shoot Out the $4.80 favourite.Wilson, who started his career at Kembla Grange south of Sydney, believes his colt is way over the odds."No-
Veteran trainer Howard Wilson believes he can provide a winner for "long shot" punters in Saturday's $1 million Magic Millions Trophy at the Gold Coast.
Wilson, who began training on the coastal strip 25 years ago, believes Spot On Target can cause an upset in the 1400-metre feature.
Spot On Target, a Danny Nikolic mount, is a $71 chance with TAB Sportsbet with Shoot Out the $4.80 favourite.
Wilson, who started his career at Kembla Grange south of Sydney, believes his colt is way over the odds.
"No-one is picking my horse and he's a $71 chance but I can tell you he's a lot better prospect than that," Wilson said.
Wilson keeps his age a well-guarded secret, revealing only that he decided "not to go past 60".
His best wins in his long career were two victories in the Group Two Villiers Handicap at Randwick with Zing Along in 1981 and Shining Wing 10 years later.
Spot On Target lost favour for the Trophy following his last-start 12th to Graceful Anna in the Group Three Vo Rogue Plate (1350m) at Doomben on Boxing Day.
The son of Markane previously produced an eye-catching performance to finish ninth, just over three lengths behind the winner Dual Chamber, in the Gold Edition Plate (1200m) at Eagle Farm two weeks earlier.
Stewards grilled Wilson following Spot On Target's flop in the Vo Rogue Plate when the club's veterinary surgeon reported the colt pulled up lame.
"The stewards got us in last start but we discovered the horse got his tongue over the bit and choked down," Wilson said.
"I had him scoped and vetted myself after the run and we've found nothing wrong with him.
"He's a very good horse and has won twice but he's had no luck in a lot of his other races, mainly because of bad barriers."
Rain has threatened all week at the Gold Coast but has mostly missed the track which is rated a dead four.
"Rain would help his chances if we get some as he loves the wet," Wilson said.
"If we get some rain the track is certain to chop up on the inside which will help him from his wide draw (14)."
Wilson believes Spot On Target was unlucky not to win the Group One TJ Smith (1600m) at Eagle Farm in June last year.
"He led in the TJ and stumbled about 50 metres out and lost his momentum," he said.
"He ended up running second but it probably cost him the race."
Wilson is confident of a home town victory in the Magic Millions Trophy and rated the John Wallace-trained Shoot Out as his main danger.