Signoff out of Harry White Classic

Trainer Darren Weir will have to reassess Signoff’s Spring Carnival campaign after he was forced to scratch the seven year old from the Listed $120,000 italktravel Harry White Classic (2400m) at Caulfield today.

Signoff, above, had to be scratched from the Harry White Classic at Caulfield. Photo by Jenny Barnes.

Signoff, above, had to be scratched from the Harry White Classic at Caulfield. Photo by Jenny Barnes.

Weir had to scratch Signoff from last Saturday’s Group 2 $200,000 Ascend Sales Trophies Hill Stakes (2000m) at Randwick after the Melbourne Cup hopeful hit his leg while working at the beach the day before.

The Premiership winning trainer had expected Signoff to recover in time to resume his Melbourne Cup campaign today but he tweeted that the leg was not fully better.

“Signoff scratched from Harry White Classic. Unfortunately vets still not happy with leg. Work out further plans next couple of days,” Weir tweeted.

Signoff is currently on the third line of betting at $17 with Ladbrokes.com.au for the Group 1 $6m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 1.

The withdrawal of Signoff has seen his stablemate Black Tomahawk remain at the top of the Harry White Classic market order at $3.40 at Ladbrokes.com.au just ahead of the John Sadler trained The Bandit at $3.80 and the German import Almandin at $4.80.

Black Tomahawk is well overdue for a win with placings at his last five starts including four trips to the runner’s up stall at his last four outings, his latest a nose second to Lucques in the $90,000 Sofitel Girl’s Day Out Handicap (2500m) at Flemington on September 10.

Market order for the Harry White Classic at Ladbrokes.com.au: $3.40 Black Tomahawk, $3.70 The Bandit, $4.80 Almandin, $5 Assign, $6.50 O’Lonera, $21 Shimrando, $26 Thunder Teddington.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.