The roadshow, in its fifth year, consists of presentations plus a question time and will visit all areas of the state over a six weeks.

Perna said the roadshow gives a great understanding and awareness to the public of the responsibilities of RIC.

“We've been doing the roadshows for five years,” he said. “The RIC is not part of the racing bodies. We explain to the community in detail about our role in thoroughbred, harness and the greyhound industries.

“I put forward my perspectives on integrity for the three codes. We must ensure the racing industry operates free from the influence of crime and corruption.

“We encourage the communities of the Western District to attend our first roadshow for the year in Warrnambool.”

The opening roadshow, which will run for about an hour, will be held at the Warrnambool Racing Club from 7pm on March 14.

TALENTED jockey Stan Tsaikos is only months away from returning to riding after enduring career-threatening injuries from mishaps in the saddle.

Tsaikos, 35, has begun riding trackwork at Geelong in a bid to kickstart his career again.

“I'm just taking little steps riding light work, but I hope to resume riding within months,” he said.

“I haven't ridden in a race since early 2016. I sustained a spiral fracture to my left leg in jump-outs at Geelong.

“The injury occurred in the first of my six rides at the jump-puts, and then I had five rides the next day. Riding the next day never helped me.”

Tsaikos, who has ridden more than 300 winners in his career, said the injury took nine months to heal. “They didn't have to operate as the bone in my leg was not displaced,” he said.

“It's just been a long road back. I've missed riding in races. I'm 60kg and got to get my weight down and get race fit again.

“I would love to think I'll be back in early March. I'm just taking baby steps riding light work, but I will be increasing the tempo within the next few weeks.”

The former leading Western District apprentice jockey is no stranger to injuries, injuring his back in a fall at Donald in July 2010.

“I had issues with the C5 and C7 in my back,” Tsaikos said.

“I had niggling back issues for about 18 months before things got alright. I went and worked for Danny O’Brien down at his Barwon Heads property for a few years and then I was making a comeback and got kicked in the mounting yard at Warrnambool.

“It's been a tough few years.”

Fierce competition within the jockey ranks for rides is a major hurdle Tsaikos must contend with when he returns to the saddle. “I can see it's tough to get rides,” he said.

“I've had a lot of success riding down in the Western District during my career and I would say I will be down there riding at meetings. I've had a bit of success for the Wilde stable I would love to renew that partnership again.”

Tsaikos won the 1998 Warrnambool Wangoom Handicap on M’Selle De Enz.

WARRNAMBOOL hobby trainer Tammy Good didn’t forget to acknowledge the hard work put in by former jockey Luke Williams after Maka’s Blu Girl won a $20,000 class 1 at Hamilton on Friday.

Maka’s Blu Girl, with Christine Puls in the saddle, defeated Hot Seat and Sarlmanok in the 1400-metre race.

“I've got to give a lot of credit to Luke,” Good said.

“He knew Maka’s Blu Girl from her days up in Queensland. I think she's a smart mare, but has had numerous issues which Luke has been able to sort out.

“She's a very temperamental mare but has a fair bit of ability. It was a very good ride by Christine. She’s got a good understanding of Maka’s Blu Girl little quirks.”

The lightly raced six-year-old mare has won two of her five runs in this campaign. She took her stake earnings to more than $25,000.

WARRNAMBOOL galloper Marcks Maha is destined for a career over jumps despite winning a maiden on the flat over 1600 metres at Hamilton on Friday, according to trainer Aaron Purcell.

Marcks Maha beat Miss Saks by more than three lengths, with Maltre du Monde in third place.

Purcell said the four-year-old will have two to three more flat runs before going over the jumps.

“The long-term future for Marcks Maha is over the jumps,” he said.

“The horse hit the line strongly, but I've always had him earmarked as a jumper. It was his second run this time in work.

“I think there's more improvement in him. We've done a fair bit of schooling with him and he jumps good. I would like to have him ready for some of the early jumps races in the season.”

Marcks Maha took 13 runs to break his maiden flat status.

PROMISING Warrnambool apprentice jockey Melissa Julius was outed on a careless riding charge at Hamilton on Friday.

Julius, who was riding Favonski pleaded guilty to the charge. Her suspension starts at midnight January 24 and ends midnight January 29. Fellow apprentice Lucinda Doodt was suspended after her winning ride on Yarrayne Lass at Hamilton. Doodt, who also pleaded guilty, will sit the same dates.