The former All Black will line up a runner for the first time in four seasons when Born A Royal makes his debut at Oamaru tomorrow.
Wilson last lined up a horse under his guidance in the 2010-11 season, and it has been 11 seasons since Lady Marquise provided Wilson with his 45th and most recent training success, at Ascot Park in November 2003.
Wilson and his wife, Robyn, have experienced plenty of success through Terri Rae's Riccarton stable in that time - most recently with smart mare Madam Victoria.
But a move to Ashburton in September to a 40ha property not far from the Ashburton racecourse has convinced Wilson to get the lead ropes out again.
''It's just a numbers game,'' Wilson said.
''Terri has been doing our training and that will continue, but we just thought we would get a couple of the younger ones under way just to give the old wallet a bit of a rest.
''I've been quite enjoying it. It's been a long time between drinks so we'll see what happens.
''I'm looking forward to having a runner at the races all the same.''
Wilson was originally working up two youngsters, but the other one went shin sore, leaving Wilson to focus on Born A Royal.
The son of Thewayyouare is a half-brother to Madam Victoria and race-winner Royal Dapper, and Wilson has been happy enough with the 2yr-old's progress this season after three trials including a win at Rangiora on May 6.
''It was just for education and we were happy with the way he went, so we just decided we would give him a run and he'll be turned out then.''
The gelding has drawn wide in the 1200m affair, although Wilson expects the varying speeds from the gates will give jockey Kylie Williams somewhere to drop in.
''We just hope the 2yr-olds might spread out a little bit and he might be able to get in,'' he said.
''You certainly don't want to be three or four wide, that's for sure.''
Born A Royal should cope with a dead or slow track, provided the track doesn't get too deep.
''It was slow9 at Rangiora trials the other day and he went OK, although he would prefer it to be firmer,'' Wilson said.
''If it was slow7 or something like that, we wouldn't be too concerned, but after that, it's an unknown, really.''
Even if Born A Royal happened to win, tomorrow's race is almost certainly his lot for the season.
''We'll definitely have a break and it will give us a line on what we might be able to do in the spring, so he won't have to be out that long if he goes OK.''
The Wilsons are running cattle along with broodmares and young horses.
''The horses are taking up a bit more room than they're meant to, really,'' Wilson said.
The former fullback, who played eight tests for the All Blacks from 1977 to 1979, trained five stakes winners during the 1990s, including the 1996 White Robe Lodge Handicap winner Nearly Pal's.
Updates
Additional information for meetings today.-M2 Waikato RCRider:Race 8: Sing For The Sun - Leah Hemi (a3)Scratchings:Race 1: FitsandgigglesRace 9: Good One GladyRace 10: Rich TedWeather, fine; track, slow9; rail out 12mM4 Wellington RCRider:Race 3: Snodroptwinkletoes - Sarah MacNab (am)ScratchingRace 7: That's Where It IsWeather, overcast; track, heavy11; rail out 10m
