Talented stayer Signoff has the Pakenham Cup as a target after a pleasing first-up run.

Ridden by 3kg claiming apprentice Dylan Dunn, Signoff finished eighth, 4-1/2 lengths behind Silverball in the Ross Stevenson Trophy over 1600m at Flemington on Saturday.

It was Signoff's first start since he finished fourth behind Protectionist in the Melbourne Cup in November.

The Darren Weir-trained five-year-old made his return to racing earlier than expected.

Original plans for the gelding were to have just one run in Adelaide next month but Weir said Signoff had been thriving and needed some racing.

Weir said Signoff would now head to the Pakenham Cup (2000m) on April 26 with a decision on a possible start in the Robert A Lee Stakes (1600m) at Morphettville to be made following that race.

After beginning well, Signoff tracked the speed on Saturday before weaking late in the race.

"I thought he went really good," Weir said.

"He (Dunn) probably rode him just a bit close but he stuck on quite well.

"He'll take a lot of benefit from that and he'll go to Pakenham now and then we'll work out what to do after that."

Weir said he would have preferred to see Signoff ridden just a little further back after Dunn gave the gelding a dig out of the barriers, but overall could not fault the ride.

Signoff ran fourth in the Melbourne Cup after winning the Lexus Stakes three days earlier.

His spring form also included a second in the Group Two Herbert Power Stakes as well as a third placing in David Jones Cup won by Contributer.