Weir last week copped a four-year disqualification after he was found guilty on charges of possessing electronic equipment that could be used on horses and conduct prejudicial to the image of racing.

Club chief executive Peter Downs said he was surprised at the level of interest in the main facility, which contains 43 stables and was owned by Forest Lodge Racing.

“The infrastructure at the stables belong to Forest Lodge Racing,” Downs said.

“We’ve spoken to various parties. There’s been a lot of interest in them.  

“We’ve got a process which has to be followed.

“We would like the think the stables could be opened sooner than later, as we’re mindful of keeping people in jobs.

“Racing Victoria stewards have the final say as to which trainer goes into the stabling complex.”

Ciaron Maher Racing took over Weir’s Miners Rest stabling complex last Thursday.

DANIEL Bowman is confident that Magnapal is ready to win another race after his third placing in a $125,000 race at Caulfield on Saturday.

Magnapal having his 65th start finished a length from Yogi in the 1800 metre race.

“It was a super run from Magnapal,” the Warrnambool-based trainer said.

“I think the bit of rain we had on Saturday really helped Magnapal’s chances.

“He’s had two runs from a break and is ready to win if he gets conditions to suit.

“He’s been a great money spinner for his connections winning more then $570,000 in stake money.

“I’m thinking of setting him for a possible start in the Warrnambool Cup, but it will be dictated by the weather.

“It would be great if we got a soft track for the cup.”

Bowman ventured to Sydney for the Classic Yearling Sales and came home with a Star Witness colt out of Charge At Dawn.

“I thought he was a lovely walking colt,” he said.

“I had inspected a lot of yearlings since last Thursday and I thought this bloke was one of the best.

“His full brother has trialled up very well.

“I’ve got a couple loyal stable clients who will take a share.

“But there are still some shares available in him.”

POPULAR Koroit-trained galloper Hornets’ Nest is preparing for another jumps campaign despite putting in a mediocre flat run at Colac on Saturday.

Hornets’ Nest finished 18 lengths behind Semari in a restricted 1600 metre race. Trainer James McNamara said Hornets’ Nest was back to his old unruly ways.

“He just never put in,” McNamara said.

“I had not been able to work Hornets’ Nest until two weeks ago.

“I usually do all the work on Hornets’ Nest, but I was kicked by a horse.

“I had been suffering with a badly bruised left shin, so I couldn’t put much work into him.

“I couldn’t ride a horse for nearly a month so Hornets’ Nest got away with me.

“I think we’ll run him again on the flat in a fortnight at Moonee Valley.

“I would say his flat runs will be at the Valley as there’s a bit of give in the track.”

McNamara is unsure when his stable favourite will resume his jumping career.

“I’m like lots of trainers – I’ll be waiting for an early autumn break,” he said.

“I’ve got my fingers crossed we’ll have a wet track at the Warrnambool May Carnival.

“I’m not sure if he’ll run over the hurdles or the steeples at the carnival, it will all depend on the weather.”

McNamara has four horses in work and is hoping to increase that number to eight or 10 later in the year.

WARRNAMBOOL trainer Symon Wilde is ready to open the chequebook for the upcoming Melbourne Premier Yearling Sales which start March 3.

The Wilde stable purchased some yearlings at the Classic Yearling Sales in Sydney over the past few days, but the focus is on the Premier sale.

“We never got any yearlings at the New Zealand or Gold Coast sales this year,” Wilde said.

“We picked up a couple in Sydney, but I just think the Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale offers great value with the VOBIS scheme in place.

“We’ve had a lot of luck from yearlings we’ve purchased from the Premier Sale previously.

“We’ve got some stable clients who are interested in buying yearlings this year from that sale.

“I’ve had a really good look at the catalogue and there appears to be some lovely yearlings on offer over the four days.”

FORMER Darren Weir-trained galloper Night’s Watch resumed for the Maher-Eustace stable with a third placing in the Carlyon Cup.

The winner of eight of his 20 starts Night Watch showed he’s ready for a good campaign with the minor placing.

He will be hard to beat once he gets out over more ground.

TALENTED apprentice jockey Teo Nugent is making every post a winner.

He’s still learning his craft, but looks to have a bright future in the saddle if he can keep his weight under control.