Signoff, trained at Darren Weir’s Warrnambool satellite stable, has been heavily backed to win the $300,000 Lexus Stakes at Flemington today and must win the race to gain a last-minute berth in the group 1 $6 million Emirates Melbourne Cup on Tuesday.

Weir’s Warrnambool foreman Daniel Bowman, who has overseen the preparation of Signoff, said the five-year-old would be suited by the 2500 metres of the group 3 race.

“We’re one of 12 horses trying to win the Lexus to get into the Melbourne Cup. It’s going to be a tough race to win but I reckon we’re really going to appreciate the 2500 metres of the Lexus. Signoff had solid workouts at Warrnambool last Saturday and Tuesday,” Bowman said. 

“We galloped him over 2000 metres on both mornings. He worked with a mate on Saturday but was by himself on Tuesday. His work was very good on both occasions.”

Bowman warned punters Signoff was now at a tight quote to win the Lexus.

“Signoff is a short-priced favourite for the Lexus. I think he’s at ridiculous odds,” he said. “There’s no value for the small punters to back Signoff for the Lexus. I just hope the big punters who have backed him are on the money. His last couple of runs have been really strong.”

Champion Brazilian jockey Joao Moreira has been booked by Weir to ride Signoff in the Lexus and if the horse wins, the Hong Kong-based super-star jockey will have his first mount in a Melbourne Cup. 

Bowman hopes Signoff is not the only black type winner for Weir’s Warrnambool stable on one of the biggest race days in Australia. They will saddle up May’s Dream in the group 1 $500,000 Myer Classic, while Stratum Star is in the group 3 $200,000 Carbine Club Stakes today.

“Stratum Star is going really well,” Bowman said. “He’s won his last couple of races and meets similar company in the Carbine Club Stakes. 

“His work has been really good. The Myer Classic is the grand final for May’s Dream. 

“This is the race we’ve had her aimed at for the spring. She should really appreciate the big, roomy track at Flemington and the 1600 metres.”

Ciaron Maher has runners in three of the nine races on the big Derby Day program. 

He saddles up Azkadellia in the Carbine Club Stakes, Marksmanship in the Lexus Stakes in his bid to gain a start in the Melbourne Cup, while Light Up Manhattan is in the group 1 $1.5 million Victoria Derby.

Maher, who has stables at Winslow and Caulfield, said his three runners should run well.

“My horses are going to the races very fit and well. They have all worked well on the track in the lead up to their respective races. We just want a bit of luck in the run to be very competitive in the three races,” Maher said. “We’ve had these three races earmarked for these horses for months. It’s just great to get them there for their owners in three feature races on the Australian racing calendar.”

Woolsthorpe-bred mare Girl Guide has her first start in a 1600-metre race when she runs in the Myer Classic. From her four runs this campaign the David Hayes-Tom Dabernig trained five-year-old is the winner of two races. 

She also has two second placings to her credit. Girl Guide has never been out of the prizemoney at her 10 career starts, winning six.