The VAL has the two-day Ballarat carnival in its traditional timeslot on February 13-14 on a draft calendar starting in January.

A schedule starting in February puts Ballarat on March 13-14.

The professional running circuit will have a shortened season owing COVID-19 restrictions, with Maryborough and Daylesford among several gift meetings already cancelled.

Cricket Willow, which traditionally hosts the Daylesford Gift at Shepherds Flat in the first week of January, said meeting had been called off owing to the uncertainty of VAL events with regard to restrictions and the impact on sponsorship and other organisational factors.

Adrian Tinetti said it had had become too difficult to organise with so much unknown.

VAL president Stephanie Spence said the VAL remained committed to holding a 2020-21 season.

"We are doing our best at modelling what races will be held with limitations on competitor numbers and possibly, restrictions pending, limitations on spectators."

The VAL's two models for this season are dependent on restrictions in place in January and February.

Gifts still on the calendar: Warrnambool, Meadowglen, Frankston, Wangaratta, Geelong, Parkdale, Ringwood, Ballarat (two days), Waverley, Maribyrnong, Castlemaine, Bendigo (two days), Hastings, Docklands, Stawell (three days).