Darren Weir, Victoria’s leading thoroughbred trainer, is caught between a rock and a hard place, with little room to move, concerning his staying star, Signoff, and the pain killing drug ibuprofen.

Weir is more than conscious of the impending ramifications of a positive swab, he is not likely to play Russian roulette, he has too much to lose for so little to gain.

He is the only country trainer in Australia to have won two state premierships, and on course to make it a treble.

Weir has a remarkable strike rate, he seldom throws a horse in at the deep end, he is conscious of showing a return for his owners, that is a major factor for his success as a trainer.

Signoff is a very good horse, close to being the best stayer in Australia that has never been questioned.

However you cannot give up on 150 horses on two properties at Ballarat and Warrnambool,

Ibuprofen is a pain killing drug used to treat tendon problems, with good results, but obviously can have different effects on some horses in various forms, in this case Signoff is a prime example, it seems the drug has lingered longer in the body than expected.

Signoff is believed to be among other horses that have tested positive to the drug.

Signoff is badly in need of a run if he is going to campaign in Adelaide, which is his intended autumn mission.

However, Weir must be absolutely positive when the horse appears at the races, irrespective of where it may be, all horses must be presented drug free.

Trainers are responsible, they are the scapegoats, they have the licence, they are riding on the thin edge of the wedge, they are basically on their own.

There is a call that if veterinary surgeons are treating race horses, they should be registered and held responsible to Racing Victoria for the treatment of the horse, and drugs used in that treatment of the horse must be witnessed by the trainer or a nominated person.

Furthermore, all products pertaining to horse tonics ect. should have the stamp approval of Racing Victoria, it would be a big job no doubt but a huge saving in legal fees.

Connections of Signoff and Darren Weir