McLean, who has been on the committee for 33 years, filled the role as chairman from 1995-1997.

WRC chairman Nick Rule said McLean had made a worthy contribution to the success of the club in his time on the committee.

"John has made a significant contribution over a long period of time," Rule said.

"His business acumen, support, advice and guidance will be sorely missed around the committee table.

"John has helped oversee the growth and development of the club through some tough times to the high ranking it has in the racing industry today."

Rule said the committee was considering seconding a member onto the committee to fill the vacancy caused by McLean's retirement.

"We're thinking of seconding someone to fill John's role - if we went down that path the person has to be elected by the members at the annual meeting of the club in October," he said.

"We may make a decision about that at our May committee meeting."

Committee members Tamara Mahoney and Des Roberts are up for re-election at the AGM in October. The carnival starts on April 30.

WARRNAMBOOL trainer Daniel Bowman felt the highs and lows of racing over the weekend.

Bowman watched as Mumbles and Working From Home resumed with excellent first-up runs, while Magnapal sustained a serious racing injury and was humanely euthanised at Caulfield.

The stable ventured to Penola on Sunday and came home with a winning double after Favonski and Nashville Sound were successful in their respective races.

Mumbles may head back to Melbourne for his next start and Working From Home could line up in the Wangoom Handicap on the second day of Warrnambool's three-day carnival.

"I thought Mumbles and Working From Home ran really well," Bowman said.

"Mumbles' run may have peaked at the 100-metre mark. There's a nice race for him at Flemington in May and Working From Home may go around in the Wangoom, if we don't go there we'll head over to the Proud Miss at Morphettville. We want to give her every chance to add some black type to her pedigree."

Favonski and Nashville Sound appear likely to have their next runs at the Mount Gambier Cup meeting on May 10.

"Nashville Sound is a very promising horse," Bowman said. "We've had a big opinion of him. I'm confident with time he will develop into a nice stayer. There's a nice race for Favonski on Mount Gambier Cup day. We'll give both horses a couple of days to recover from their runs before getting them ready for those races.

"Racing can be very tough to cope with at various times and we all felt that on Saturday with Magnapal having a racing accident. Magnapal was loved not only by his owners but also by all our stable staff."

THREE popular jockeys felt the wrath of the stewards after a big weekend of racing. Christine Puls, John Allen and Jamie Mott were all outed on careless riding charges.

Puls pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge at Stawell on Sunday. Stewards found Puls allowed Atomic Rumour to shift out when not clear of Golden Lance in the early stages of the home straight. Her suspension commenced on April 21 and ends at midnight on April 29.

Allen will be back to ride at next week's Warrnambool May Carnival after being outed following his ride on Grey Shadow at Caulfield on Saturday. Stewards took into account Allen's guilty plea and his riding record before handing down the penalty. Allen's suspension finishes at midnight on April 29.

Mott misses the first day of the carnival following a suspension at Mornington on Sunday. Mott pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge. Stewards deemed the incident to be in the mid-range. He can resume riding on May 1.

THE countdown to the Warrnambool Carnival kicks off with hurdle and steeplechase trials at the famous racecourse on Wednesday morning. The trials will be over 2400 and 2800 metres. Jumps trainers also have the opportunity to give their horses a last look around the tricky steeplechase course on Sunday morning before the big week of racing.

VERSATILE jockey Clayton Douglas has a chance to win back-to-back Grand Annual Steeplechases on Gold Medals.

Douglas, who tasted his first flat group success on Streets Of Avalon at Caulfield on Saturday, has been offered the ride on Gold Medals in the Brierly Steeplechase on the opening day of the carnival and in the Grand Annual Steeplechase by trainer Symon Wilde.

Wilde said a final decision regarding a start in the Grand Annual will be made following Gold Medals' run in the Brierly.

"We'll see how Gold Medals performs in the Brierly before making a decision about a run in the Annual," he said.

"I've had a chat with Clayton about what we're doing and he's comfortable with that.

"It looks like being a top Grand Annual with Patrick Payne's stablemates Zed Em and Slowpoke Rodriguez being hard to beat."

DENATIN: resumed with a pleasing effort at Stawell. He went to the line strongly at the end of 1300 metres. He should register a maiden win over a bit more ground in similar company in the near future.

FURRION: showed he's ready for another win at Caulfield. He's had three runs for his new stable and will be hard to beat next time.

HAUNTED: promising type. Liked the way he won at Caulfield on Saturday. He's won six of 12 starts and is ready for a jump in class.

SIR PIPPIN: building up an impressive record after winning on Saturday. The former imported galloper has won his two Australian starts and appears to have plenty of upside going into the future.

RAQUEL CLARK: riding up a storm in South Australia and punters should follow the lead.