The major works will see the Matilda Room extended, linking the existing two grandstands that overlook the track, and should be completed in early April next year.

Warrnambool Racing Club chief executive Peter Downs said despite cold winds and some rain, there was a buzz around the place as works began.

"It's pretty exciting to see that work has started after months of planning," Downs said.

"The complex will be great for everyone once it's completed.

"There will be some inconvenience for our patrons at our race meetings like the Woodford, Koroit, Port Fairy and Jericho cup days.

"But we've got to wear that while the works are under way.

"I'm sure everyone will understand what we are trying to achieve.

"We'll be using facilities in the old public grandstand and the old members' grandstand plus marquees for those race meetings while the two existing stands are joined.

"It's great that everything is due to be finished before our 2020 May Carnival."

A new ground floor cafeteria and presentation bar will be built behind the mounting yard.

The project also includes upgrades to kitchen, bar, viewing deck and other amenities.

Ballarat-based Nicholson Construction, which has an office in Warrnambool, won the tender for the project.

The works will create 28 full-time jobs during construction. The firm intends using contractors from across the south-west.

WARRNAMBOOL Racing Club has decided to wait until October to fill the committee position left vacant by John McLean's retirement.

The club considered seconding a member onto the committee to fill the position, but decided to wait until the annual general meeting before filling the role. McLean stood down from the committee after 33 years at the end of the May Carnival.

JUMPS jockey Darryl Horner junior feared he had broken his right collarbone after a trackwork fall on Saturday.

But a trip to the hospital for a scan revealed no breaks, much to the delight of the popular hoop.

Horner is no stranger to broken collarbones.

He has broken his right one on two occasions and the left one once.

"I automatically thought I had broken the collarbone once again when I was laying on the ground," the Warrnambool-based jockey said.

"I was in a fair bit of pain. I thought the 2019 jumps season was over for me while I was on the ground. I was relieved when the scans came back."

Horner has been booked for rides in jumps races at the Warrnambool meeting next Tuesday.

VETERAN Crossley trainer Quinton Scott is not getting carried away with his lightly raced galloper Nicajon after his maiden victory at Geelong last Friday.

Nicajon came under notice with a fast-finishing second in maiden company at the Warrnambool Carnival earlier this month, hence his short price in the maiden at Geelong.

"He won all right at Geelong, but there's nothing to get too carried away about," Scott said.

"I thought he should have finished the 1225 metre race off a bit better. He's very immature.

"There's a bit of a hype about Nicajon, but it's not from me. He's still got a fair way to go in my opinion.

"I don't like putting wraps on horses.

"We'll just take him along quietly for a week or so before planning anything else for him."

From his three starts, Nicajon has earnt more then $20,000 in stake-money.

WARRNAMBOOL trainer Aaron Purcell put a pencil through the poor run of Guizot at Flemington on Saturday.

Guizot was well fancied in the $125,000 race on the back of wins at Warrnambool and Caulfield but could only run seventh.

"I'm prepared to forget Guizot ran on Saturday," Purcell said.

"He's a lot better then that performance. He was just ridden upside down.

"He's got to be covered up in his races and only has a 200 metre sprint. We'll look around for a suitable type of race for him in a fortnight to three weeks."

The imported galloper has won more then $397,000 from his 40 starts.

JOCKEY Lucinda Doodt pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge after her ride on Press Release at Warracknabeal on Saturday.

The charge related to an incident rounding the home turn near the 250m, when she permitted her mount to shift out when insufficiently clear of Bonville, which was taken outwards onto the heels of Our Henrietta having to be checked.

Doodt had her licence suspended for a period of seven meetings, to start at the conclusion of a suspension incurred at Casterton (midnight June 6), expiring at midnight on June 13.

Stewards took into account her guilty plea, good record and also the penalty that she would serve from the incident at Casterton.

It will be served cumulatively, so as to ensure that the penalty was not manifestly excessive.