A LOCAL trainer has revved up interest for the Melbourne Cup.

Signoff, one of the favourites for Australia's biggest horse race, was trained by Darren Weir at Miners Rest before going to his Warrnambool stables.

Western Hotel owner Dan Cronin said people were coming in specifically to put bets on the five-year-old.

"There's definitely a lot more interest from local people," he said.

"Normally they'd just pick any horse but they're going for the Darren Weir horse now."

Mayor John Philips said it was an honour to have a Ballarat-trained horse in the race.

"It's fantastic to have local people training horses and have a horse in the Melbourne Cup," he said.

"There is no doubt an enormous amount of work goes into getting a horse to that level."

The feeling is even clearer inside the stables.

"Everyone's walking around whistling, and excited," said stablehand and strapper Louise Pritchard.

"Whoever can fit in the truck will be going down to Melbourne."

Ms Pritchard will help get Signoff sorted before the biggest race of his career, acting as a co-strapper because of the circus-like environment in the Flemington mounting yard. She also helped on Saturday when Signoff known as Heppi off track won a spot in the Cup.

"I felt sick on Saturday, I was so nervous strapping," she said. Signoff was moved to Weir's Warrnambool operation about 12 months ago because he "ran hot" and it was decided he would benefit from time at the beach.

Ms Pritchard, who moved to Ballarat two- and-a-half years ago, said Signoff was a young horse that could keep Ballarat people glued to the racing for a long time to come.

"Win, lose or draw tomorrow, he's going in the right direction," she said.

Signoff is racing from barrier 16, and has been placed as the second or third favourite behind Admire Rakti, depending on the betting agency.

alex.hamer@fairfaxmedia.com.au