The works have forced Warrnambool Racing Club to introduce a modified training program for trainers for two weeks.

WRC racecourse manager Daniel Lumsden said the works were urgently needed.

“We can understand there's an inconvenience to trainers for a fortnight, but the works are needed,” Lumsden said.

“We’re closing the track at 8am, instead of 10am, for a fortnight.

“We're operating on a modified training program for trials and track work which all relate to safety for everyone.

“We only had a slight opportunity to do the works and that is now because we are starting to prepare things for the upcoming May Carnival.”

Work will be carried out in two stages – the first relates to connecting pipes to the water supply from the new subdivisions, while the second stage relates to a new dam in the paddock.

“We've used bore water on the track for years which is not the best,” Lumsden said.

“The fresh rainwater which will be stored in the new dam will give the track a real boost for our race meetings in the future.”

The club’s meeting listed for January 24 has been transferred. The next meeting carries twilight status and will be run on February 23.

TOUGH imported stayer Swacadelic earnt another crack at a Adelaide Cup start after an unlucky run in the $90,000 Craftsman Handicap at Flemington on Saturday.

Swacadelic ran fifth, but was beaten less than a length in the Craftsman over 2000 metres with champion jockey Damian Oliver in the saddle. The six-year-old ran fifth in last year's $400,000 Adelaide Cup, finishing less than five lengths behind Purple Smile in the 3200 metre race.

Trainer Aaron Purcell will give Swacadelic two more runs before the Adelaide Cup on March 13.

“I reckon Swacadelic deserves another crack at the Adelaide Cup after that run,” he said.

“I thought he was a shade unlucky in the Craftsman. Ollie was really happy with the run.

“He said Swacadelic was feeling the ground before the home straight.

“Swacadelic really let down over the last couple of hundred metres and finished off strongly.

“I'm sure he would have finished in the top three if the race was a bit longer.”

The quietly spoken Purcell said Swacadelic raced best when his runs were spaced.

“I think we’ll run him at Caulfield in three weeks,” he said. “We’ll look at another run after Caulfield. He’ll need the two runs before an Adelaide Cup start.

“He's an honest type of horse who is not top class but he's just honest.” The German-bred stayer took his stake earnings to more than $335,000 with his run in the Craftsman.

JOCKEYS Andrew Mallyon and Nikita Beriman were suspended on careless riding charges at Warrnambool on Sunday.

Mallyon pleaded guilty to  the charge after his winning ride on Crystal Pistol. Stewards found Mallyon allowed Crystal Pistol to shift in near the winning post.

His suspension started at midnight January 15 and ends January 21. Beriman was outed after her winning ride on Written Return. Her suspension starts at midnight January 17 and ends January 23. Stewards deemed both incidents were in the low range.

VETERAN jockey Craig Robertson won the Neville “Nifty” Wilson trophy for the leading jockey at Camperdown’s once-a-year meeting on Saturday.  The trophy, named after the former jockey, is keenly sought after by those who ride at the meeting. It’s awarded on a points basis. Robertson said it was a great honour to win the prestigious trophy.

“Nifty was a legend in the jockey ranks for so many years,” Robertson said.

“He worked tirelessly in his role as a jockey but also as the chairman of the Victoria Jockey Association. His work with the VJA has provided great benefits for jockeys’ careers.”

Robertson rode one winner but had numerous placegetters on the eight-race program.

PATIENCE was the key for Warrnambool-trained Salvarotti, who won a $20,000 restricted race at Camperdown on Saturday.

Trainer Daniel Bowman said Salvarotti had more than 18 months on the sidelines with injury problems.

“It's just taken a lot of time to get him right,” Bowman said. “Salvarotti had a long time in the paddock nursing back and fetlock issues. We gave him a few trials but I knew he needed racing to bring on his fitness.

“I was happy with the run. We’ll just stick around similar type races in the 1600 metre range.”

Salvarotti took his stake earnings to more than $27,000 with the win over Catchtherainbow and Salisbury.

JUMPING in distance paid dividends for Camperdown mare Queen Of Tides to win a $20,000 race over 1300 metres at Ararat on Friday.

Queen Of Tides had been crying out for the 1300 metres after two unlucky runs over 1000 and 1100 metres for trainer Clint Marshall.

“She deserved that win as she's been unlucky in a fair few races during her career,” Marshall said.

“It was a very good ride by jockey Linda Meech.”

The six-year-old mare has won three of her 17 starts.