Signoff Storms Into Cup Contention

The Darren Weir-trained Signoff has stormed into the Melbourne Cup with a convincing win in the Lexus Stakes at Flemington.

Signoff, who was well-supported for the Melbourne Cup in the lead-up to Saturday's 2500m race, has moved to second favourite at $6 for Tuesday's Cup behind Caulfield Cup winner Admire Rakti.

As the winner of the Lexus, Signoff earned an automatic Cup start.

Signoff has been penalised 1kg for his win which takes his Melbourne Cup weight to 51kg.

Weir finished second in the Melbourne Cup with She's Archie in 2003 and was thrilled to get Signoff into Tuesday's race.

Signoff ($2.45 fav) was ridden by superstar Hong Kong-based jockey Joao Moreira who gave the import a brilliant ride only one race after he claimed the Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes on Brazen Beau.

Weir said the Lexus Stakes had been a long-range plan to try to qualify Signoff for the Melbourne Cup and he delivered with his 2-1/2 length win over Big Memory with Makybe Diva's three-quarter sister La Amistad two lengths away third.

"This has been six months in the planning to try to have him right for this day.

"...We just thought if he had bad luck we'll cop that but if he can't win (the Lexus) he doesn't deserve his spot in the Cup.

"That was the plan all along. So it's nice that it's come off."