Trainer Kelso Wood tossed away a walking stick in jubilation and then went searching for it after his former star sprinter Prince Regent won and then lost the Magic Millions Classic in the stewards' room at the Gold Coast 23 years ago.It's a moment Wood will never forget but he hopes to erase part of the horror day with his promising youngster Wonderful You in Saturday's $2 million Magic Millions Classic.Prince Regent was first past the post in the 1200-metre feature in 1988 but lost the race on

Trainer Kelso Wood tossed away a walking stick in jubilation and then went searching for it after his former star sprinter Prince Regent won and then lost the Magic Millions Classic in the stewards' room at the Gold Coast 23 years ago.

It's a moment Wood will never forget but he hopes to erase part of the horror day with his promising youngster Wonderful You in Saturday's $2 million Magic Millions Classic.

Prince Regent was first past the post in the 1200-metre feature in 1988 but lost the race on protest to the Neville Begg-trained Molokai Prince.

Wood still dislikes being reminded of the day but time has eased some of the heartache for the 66-year-old.

"I remember I had an infected foot and had a penicillin shot just before I drove to the races that day," Wood said.

"A mate of mine helped cut away part of a slipper so I could wear it and I had to use a walking stick.

"When Prince Regent won I let fly with the stick and I threw it the air in some direction when he won.

"Then all of a sudden there was the protest and when I came out after hearing the result I went looking for the stick again."

Wood has seen many good and bad times since the controversial Magic Millions loss but has never won the race despite good performances from Prince Celeste who ran fourth to Bold Promise in 1991 and Rock Idol who finished fifth off a wide barrier to Mimi Lebrock in 2007.

"I haven't had many runners in the race but I'm confident Wonderful You will run a big race," he said.

Wonderful You is quoted at $8.50 in latest fixed odds betting markets with unbeaten filly Karuta Queen favourite at $3.

Wonderful You, a son of 1997 Magic Millions Classic winner General Nediym, is still a maiden with one placing from three starts.

Wood used blinkers on Wonderful You in his first two defeats at Eagle Farm before replacing them with winkers for his much-improved last-start second to Military Grace in the Listed BJ McLachlan (1200m) on aheavy track at Doomben on Boxing Day.

"He's got no early gate speed but he's drawn well and the heavy track won't worry him," Wood said.

"For some reason he hasn't been able to muster early speed but I think it's just a maturity thing and I'm hoping he'll get over it by Magic Millions day.

"From barrier six he'll get a good run in midfield and I'd like to see him three wide with cover.

"He's never been on the outside and I'd rather see him there. In all his runs he's come down the fence."

Wonderful You will be ridden by Chris Munce who has won the Magic Millions three times on Dance Hero (2004), Excellerator (2001) and Sunblazer (1989).

He missed a fourth Magic Millions victory when he fell in a race and was replaced by the late Neil Williams aboard Brave Warrior in 1994.