Tasracing

Plans to campaign triple Newmarket Handicap winner I’m Wesley interstate have been scrapped.

I’m Wesley’s trainer Glenn Stevenson confirmed yesterday that his stable star was back in work but that it was not for pre-racing.

I’m Wesley rewrote the record books when he captured his third successive Newmarket Handicap in November last year and he was subsequently placed in two of three weight-for-age races before being sent for a spell.

“I contemplated an interstate campaign but with so many restrictions placed on racing in terms of trials et cetera, it was in the best interests of all concerned to cancel those plans and aim Wes at next season’s Newmarket,” Stevenson said.

“The horse looks magnificent and I’m working him on the beach as we speak.

“This will be a short prep, then another prep before I bring him back in for a preparation that will take him to the Newmarket and beyond.”

I’m Wesley has been one of the state’s best sprinters over a number of seasons with his career record of 15 wins and 14 minor placings from 47 starts for stake earnings of $564,800.

While I’m Wesley is enjoying his beach work for the next couple of weeks, one of his stablemates Needs A Crown is campaigning in Victoria and his next assignment is hoped to be a benchmark 58 handicap over 1733 metres at Geelong on Friday.

Needs A Crown is one of 72 horses nominated for the race and is 34 on the ballot in a race that will boast only a field of 12 with four emergencies.

“The big issue with us racing our horses in Victoria is the number of nominations in all races and our horses are usually well down the pecking order in the low benchmark races.”

You can vote for I’m Wesley in Tasmania’s galloper of the decade competition now.

Watch I’m Wesley win the 2019 Newmarket, his third in succession.