Jonathan Riddell has recovered from a cold which saw him stand down from riding at Foxton on Monday and is on track to combine with The Hombre in the $A500,000 Queensland Derby on Saturday.
Riddell was at Eagle Farm on Tuesday to gallop The Hombre, who has drawn barrier (18) in the group one feature.
He will start from 14 if horses do not re-enter the field.
"Jonathan said the horse worked really well but went keenly with the huge crowd that was on course for the breakfast with the stars," Trina Marshall, Riddell's partner, said from Palmerston North last night.
Fine weather has been predicted for Brisbane.
The Hombre ran the fastest last 800m of the exhibition session, faster than Whobegotyou, favourite for the $1 million Stradbroke Handicap on Saturday.
"They were right on the outside of the course proper and The Hombre ran the 800m in 49.2, a full second faster than Whobegotyou," John Bary, the Hastings trainer of The Hombre, told The New Zealand Herald last night.
"Jonathan didn't ask him for a real effort, he just let him stride along comfortably, so it was terrific work," Bary said.
"There is a 400m run to the first bend so the wide barrier is not as bad as it sounds.
There's plenty of time to end up where he needs to be," Bary said.
That will almost certainly be outside the leader, not a favourite position for many horses, but one The Hombre relaxes in and launches his sprint from.
A photo was needed to separate the gelding from Kutchinsky in the Grand Prix Stakes on May 29 and Bary said preparations had gone smoothly.
"The run in the Grand Prix took it out of him a wee bit but he's bounced back tremendously," he said.
"Fitness-wise, I've got no worries. He wouldn't have put a candle out really after the Grand Prix. He's got to be a big chance."
Australian betting agencies late yesterday eased The Hombre out from $6 to $7 equal third favourite with the Bart Cummings-trained Landlord.
Kutchinksy is favourite at $5 and former New Zealand galloper Fieldmaster is on the second line of betting at $6.
The other New Zealand Derby runners, Sir Time Keeper and Miss Keepsake, winner of the Queensland Oaks, have drawn well at No 3 and No 6.
The Stephen McKee-trained 2yr-old Starcheeka came up with barrier 18 in the A$500,000 TJ Smith. He is to be ridden by Glen Boss.
His stablemate Culminate has arrived in Brisbane to contest the Stradbroke Handicap in which she has 51.5kg. Scott Seamer has been engaged.
Sam Spratt will once again partner another Stradbroke hopeful, stablemate Mufhasa, who will appreciate the firmer track.
Culminate has drawn barrier six.
The 6yr-old has been freshened since a sixth place at the Travis Stakes at Te Rapa on May 1.
"Drawn next to Melito, one of the horses to beat, if she can take a spot just in behind the speed she's going to get her chance," McKee said.
He believed carrying 51.5kg was another advantage for Culminate.
"It's very good for her. She's never carried a weight that light in her [35-start] career," he said.
"We've freshened her up with the Stradbroke in mind. She's the type of mare we think can run a really good 1400m fresh."
