The former All Black and Otago rugby representative-turned-horse trainer produced Wize Act for a big fresh-up win at Oamaru yesterday.
In winning, the classy filly made up for two previous defeats on Otago tracks.
Redemption on Otago soil is something Wilson knows more about than most.
Turn back the clock 40 years and the former fullback was part of one of the few Otago sides the Lions have managed to get the better of, going down 12-7 at Carisbrook in June 1977.
The former Matakanui club player walked off the field that day wondering what could have been after his kicking boot let him down in the match.
"Our team actually played well, but it was our goal-kicking that let us down and that was me."
"I scored a try and kicked a penalty, but I should have got a couple more."
Wilson returned to the Brook seven weeks later to pull on the All Black jersey for the first time in the third test.
His performance set the scale for redeeming performances high as the fullback walked off Dunedin’s hallowed turf after a performance that included a 15-point try-scoring and goal-kicking haul that was lauded after the game as a brilliant debut.
"We won the last two tests and won the series 3-1."
Although she is far from reaching national honours, Wize Act shown enough potential to suggest she could foot it in better company. She competed with merit against the likes of La Diosa and Hall Of Fame in the spring before a mystery injury haltered her progress for much of this season.
"She has had issues with her back we think.
"She kept going lame. We were pretty disappointed about that because we thought she was in with a shot at the South Island fillies’ series."
Wize Act looked well and truly over those issues at Oamaru yesterday when putting in a tough fresh-up effort aided by a pinpoint ride by Chris Johnson.
However, because the filly has had her niggles Wilson will not make any immediate racing plans until he sees how his charge comes through yesterday’s resuming run, he said.
With no runners in at Riccarton tomorrow, the trainer will have plenty more time to train his team before tuning in to the All Blacks’ first crack at the Lions on this year’s tour.
"They looked pretty ordinary for a start, but the style they play will make it difficult for New Zealand — they could cut off the ball the supply."
"But, if the All Blacks get anything their own way, they should be too good. It is a pretty classy side."
An All Blacks win would sit nicely beside the The Highlanders win over the Lions which Wilson watched with pride earlier this month.
"Especially when then they had a few out — it was great to see the old Otago pride."
- Jonny Turner
