Luttrell's only runner at the meeting, Mr Churchill, gets his chance to open his Tasmanian account in the Benchmark 82 Handicap.

The former Victorian hasn't won in eight starts since making his Tasmanian debut in January but has earned a stake cheque seven times.

A shortage of suitable middle-distance races hasn't helped his cause but when he did get to 1880m three starts ago he showed his capabilities with a nose second to the promising Cunning Fox.

His two subsequent runs over 1650m have been sound and he will appreciate returning to 1880m this week in a small but quality field.

It will be no surprise if four of the six runners find their way to the Devonport Cup in January.

Luttrell was keen to start Mr Churchill in the cup last season but he was relegated to second emergency and didn't get a run.

Kool Kash did make the field, finishing sixth, while Braccenby and Cunning Fox both look ideal types to make the progression this season.

Tasmanian horses will be in the national spotlight in Victoria and NSW on Saturday.

At Caulfield, Mystic Journey returns from a spell as a hot favourite in the P B Lawrence Stakes while Shot Of Irish and Antah are also prominent in early betting on their races.

At Randwick, Eastender resumes in the Premier's Cup Prelude and Mister Songman returns from injury in the Benchmark 88 Handicap.

Mister Songman hasn't raced since having key-hole surgery in January to remove bone chips from a fetlock.

He has created a big impression at his three starts in Sydney - winning the most recent by seven lengths - and is being touted as an Epsom Handicap contender.

Launceston owner John Burke and his sister Elizabeth sent the gelding to Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott after he had won four of his seven starts in Tasmania.

They were given the horse by their late father Dr John Burke, a prominent owner-breeder for many years.