The season's first hurdle and steeplechase trials were scheduled for Warrnambool today but a lack of numbers meant they had been postponed.

Instead, the hurdle course would be set up and open for trainers to work their runners.

Warrnambool Racing Club chief executive officer John Green said the decision to delay the start of the jumps racing season by a month until April had impacted on the proposed trials.

"Because the season has been pushed back, I think trainers have eased back their horses," he said.

"We were supposed to have jumps races on March 9 here. All the trainers that were planning to go jumping in March have had to tread water a bit.

"Eight weeks out from races is probably a bit too early."

Green said Racing Victoria Limited had opted to not run the trials today because there were only five hurdlers and one steeplechaser entered.

The costs involved in paying the club, television broadcasters filming the trials and paying stewards and ambulances meant the trials were unviable.

Green said the lack of numbers entered was not symptomatic of the turbulent off-season which saw RVL announce this would be the sport's last season, before last month backing down, agreeing to let the sport continue in 2011 if strict targets surrounding the rates of falls, fatalities and starters per race were met.

"I think the jumpers are about. We are looking to have 15-20 come down and school over the hurdles," he said.

Green said modifications to the jumps would not be available until March. The club has trials scheduled on February 23 and March 30 while Hamilton has trials slated for March 12.

Green predicted Warrnambool would host more jumps races this season after RVL ruled out Moonee Valley as a venue for the sport.

"I just don't think trainers have them wound up enough to have them trial at this stage."

He said a draft calendar for the season had been circulated to clubs for comment but no decision would be made for a couple of weeks.