Racing: Indications all positive for trainer

After almost three decades, Te Aroha trainer Keith Opie is hopeful Indikator can end his Brisbane winter carnival drought in the Caloundra Cup on Saturday.

Opie believes the softer Caloundra surface will be a plus for his 6-year-old who drew gate 17 for the A$200,000 2400m feature. Ipswich Cup winner Our Lukas fared worse with barrier 20 while the Gerald Ryan-trained Ironstein drew the rails.

Indikator earned his trip to Queensland after his Rotorua Cup (2200m) win last month.

Glen Colless, who has ridden Indikator at his past three winter starts including his second to Mirrasalo in the group Three Tattersall's Cup at Eagle Farm last Saturday, has been retained for the Caloundra Cup.

"I was very happy with his Tatt's Cup run. He came here for the Brisbane and Caloundra Cups but the track was too hard for him in the Brisbane Cup," Opie said.

The son of Sandtrap finished a close fifth to Tabulate in his Brisbane debut in the Premier's Cup at Doomben on May 29 before finishing 10th to Crossthestart in the Brisbane Cup at Eagle Farm two weeks later.

Indikator is the first horse Opie has brought to Queensland since group one winner So Dandy in 1983.

So Dandy, who ended his career with 14 wins, had five starts in Brisbane that year but his only win was in the Eye Liner Stakes at Ipswich.

"Since those days I've only pottered around with a few horses and I haven't had one good enough to bring over until Indikator," said Opie.

King Mufhasa (60kg) drew eight in the Glasshouse Handicap, while the Karen Zimmerman-trained Barinka will jump from gate five.

- AAP