The Darren Weir trained Signoff has received a 1kg penalty for the Melbourne Cup after winning the Group 3 $300,000 Lexus Stakes (2500m) at Flemington today.
Lexus Stakes winner Signoff has received a 1kg penalty for the Melbourne Cup. Photo by Sarah Ebbett.
Signoff forced himself into the final field for the Group 1 $6m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on Tuesday after winning the ballot free Lexus Stakes.
Signoff will now carry 51kgs in the Melbourne Cup with Joao Moreira to ride again after producing a near perfect ride on the up and coming stayer.
Going into today’s Lexus Stakes there were ten horses who could have leapfrogged into the Melbourne Cup, but the combination of a top ride and a good staying performance has also elevated Signoff up the market order and now an $8 chance with Ladbrokes.com.au for the Melbourne Cup.
Hong Kong based Moriera said that he was happy to gain such a good ride in the Melbourne Cup and was excited to be Signoff for Weir.
“I was searching for a ride and this one could be the one,” Moreira said.
Signoff ($2.45 favourite) ran away from the rest of the field over the final stages of the Lexus Stakes to record a two and half lengths win over Big Memory ($9) with a further two lengths to La Amistad ($14) in third place.
