Tough Vic's win in the $22,000 race came at a cost for veteran Warrnambool jockey Luke Williams, who rode the six-year-old and was suspended for nine meetings on a whip infringement charge

Chambers was excited with the victory of Tough Vic over Lu Dupe and Vividredsky. "He's just one tough horse," Chambers said.

"Tough Vic just puts in 100 per cent in his races.

"I thought he may have got beaten by Lu Dupe, but he just put his head out and refused to be beaten.

"It was a top effort by Tough Vic considering he was carrying 63kg.

"I've got to give a lot of credit to our jockey Luke Williams. Tough Vic needs a strong jockey to get the best out of him and Luke fits the bill. It's a shame Luke got suspended.

"I'll see how Tough Vic pulls up but we may go to Warrnambool next Tuesday.

"I've got to thank James McNamara and the other owners for getting me the chance to train Tough Vic."

From his three runs for Chambers, Tough Vic has won two races and ran second on the other occasion.

The Great Western benchmark victory took his stake earnings to more than $100,000.

Stewards found Williams used his whip on 12 occasions prior to the 100 metre mark, seven more than permitted.

His suspension started midnight January 26 and ends midnight February 2.

Stewards took into consideration Williams' guilty plea, poor record and that his mount had won the race before handing down the penalty.

FABIAN'S Spirit broke a long run of outs for veteran Camperdown trainer Denis Daffy when he won a benchmark 58 at Great Western on Sunday.

Daffy's last winner was Skim at Warrnambool back in August 2016.

"I can take much credit for the win," Daffy said.

"I've got to give all the credit to my granddaughter Harriet Place. She picked out Fabian's Spirit and when we heard that he was for sale we purchased him.

"Cliff Justin, a long-time stable client, also took a share in Fabian's Spirit.

"He's the first horse that Harriet has part-owned so she's very excited and rightly so. She does a lot of work with Fabian's Spirit when I'm caught up with other things.

"The win has got the monkey off out back. It's tough to win races against the bigger stables when you only have one or two horses in work, but when you do win one you've got to really enjoy the moment." Fabian's Spirit was formerly trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace.

From his three runs for the Daffy stable, the four-year-old has won one and ran second on another occasion.

WARRNAMBOOL sprinter A Good Yarn took his stake earnings more than $100,000 with a second placing under lights at Moonee Valley on Friday night.

A Good Yarn finished just over two lengths behind Mister Mogul in the 1000 metre sprint, but respected trainer Merv McKenzie was upbeat with the performance of the six-year-old.

"It was a very good run by A Good Yarn," McKenzie said.

"A Good Yarn carried 6kg more than Mister Mogul after you take in the claim for the apprentice jockey on Mister Mogul, so it was a big effort by my horse.

"We'll probably give A Good Yarn his next start down the Flemington straight on February 9 and I think we'll take his stablemate Big Reel down there on the same day."

From 16 starts, A Good Yarn has won five races and earnt $105,000 in stakemoney for his connections.

HOBBY trainer Ken Elford took time out to thank jockeys Dean Holland, John Keating and Shane Williams after Celestial Story won a benchmark 58 at Great Western on Sunday.

Celestial Story beat Indiana Star and Runawaysuzie in the $22,000 race.

"Dean rode Celestial Story a couple of runs back and told me the horse was not right," Elford said.

"Shane Williams worked on Celestial Story's back and got it right and that's why the horse has improved at his last couple of runs.

"John Keating gave me a bit of advice about Celestial Story months ago.

"Jockeys like Dean and John have wise heads on them regarding horses. They understand horses. They're excellent horsemen.

"Celestial Story can be a funny horse to ride in his races. He needs plenty of room to show his best.

"I was a bit worried the tight track at Great Western may not suit, but Dean sorted it all out."

The Warrnambool-based trainer said he will space runs for the seven-year-old.

JOCKEY Ethan Brown pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge after his ride on Swiss Hero at Geelong on Sunday.

Stewards said Brown permitted Swiss Hero to shift out when not sufficiently clear of Dash for Dee, which was steadied when crowded for room.

He was outed from midnight on January 27 to midnight February 2.

His good riding record was taken into account before the stewards handed down the eight-meeting penalty.