Although the state’s premier sprint is never easy to win, it’s notable that the field is missing big names Hellova Street, Tshahitsi and Admiral as well as Gee Gee Red Prince who has been placed for the past two years.

Only three of the 11 acceptors have earned a weight higher than the minimum – I’m Wesley on 59kg, last year’s runner-up Lord Da Vinci on 57.5kg and Geegees Doublejay, who has had two top-four finishes, on 55.5kg.

I’m Wesley, who carried only 54kg last year, will be ridden for the first time in his 33-start career by 14-time premiership winner Brendon McCoull.

Despite his dominance of Tasmanian racing over the past 20 years, McCoull has ridden only one Newmarket winner – Black N Tough in 2013.

Star apprentice Raquel Clark returned home from Adelaide to win on I’m Wesley 12 months ago but is currently suspended and couldn’t be considered for the ride.

I’m Wesley is trying to join Majestic Master, Private Enterprise and Hellova Street as the only back-to-back Newmarket winners in the past 50 years.

Royal Rambo also won the race twice, but two years apart.

Taylor Ford, who shares the lead on this season’s junior drivers’ premiership, has been disqualified for two months.

Ford was found guilty of giving false or misleading evidence to stewards.

The driver is understood to have made a statement that she later recanted.

She faces a further inquiry into her conduct as she left the stewards’ room.

Jack Laugher will represent Tasmania in the Australasian Young Drivers Championship in Queensland this week.

Laugher, 19, will drive in 10 heats at Redcliffe on Thursday and Friday and Albion Park on Saturday.

Although now living in Victoria, his selection was based on the 2016-17 Tasmanian junior drivers’ premiership.

He drove 31 local winners that season – 22 more than his nearest rival.

The series is for drivers under 25 on September 1.