Racing: Punters eye up a killing

Indikator, on the outer on the way to winning the Rotorua Cup, would have preferred some rain for the Brisbane Cup. Photo / APN

If New Zealand horses get it right at Eagle Farm this afternoon Kiwi punters will make a fortune.

All except those that have supported Tinseltown in the A$300,000 Brisbane Cup.

Tinseltown yesterday came into equal Cup favourite with Persian Star at $5.50.

"We all saw its [unlucky] run last start," said DoubleBet's odds setter Brian Taylor.

"I don't think Craig Grylls will be making the same mistake again."

Indikator, despite the lack of rain in Brisbane, is equal third favourite at $9 with the winner of the Brisbane Cup two years ago, Newport.

If you fancy any of the other New Zealand hopes you can get $35 for Sir Slick, $26 for Ekstreme, $31 for last year's Queensland Derby winner Court Ruler and $51 around Vickezzchardonnay.

With the prospect of little or no showers or rain, the club irrigated midweek.

A few showers were predicted as a possibility overnight, which would serve to no more than freshen the surface.

"It will be a good 3, a perfect track," said Taylor.

Indikator and Ekstreme would both have preferred rain, but neither is a duffer on firm surfaces and there will be just a slight yield in the going.

Indikator turned in a very smart effort after drawing wide in his Queensland lead-up race and talented rider Glen Colless was extremely keen to stay with the horse for today's race.

His inside barrier this time is much more favourable.

The real value could be Hastings 3-year-old The Hombre in the A$500,000 Queensland Derby.

Last night you could still get between $7 and $8 about him despite the scratching yesterday morning of the Bart Cummings-trained Landlord.

Melbourne 3-year-old Kutchinsky was shortened into $3.30 favourite ahead of the other Cummings runner, the filly Dariana on $6.50 with The Hombre and Fieldmaster both officially at $7.

The track will be perfect for The Hombre, who continues to delight trainer John Bary.

Stephen McKee won't be disappointed about the $51 price about his two runners Mufhasa and Culminate in the A$1 million Stradbroke Handicap.

Culminate would have appreciated rain, but the good track is exactly what Mufhasa has been waiting for.

"There's been a bit of backing for both," said Brian Taylor.

"Culminate has come in from $51 to $35, but she will ease out to around the $50 again on the tote tomorrow.

"Mufhasa is the same."

The big Stradbroke shortener has been Latin News who yesterday made the field off the ballot. He has been $11 into $7 second favourite.