Racing: No clouds on Bary's horizon before Derby

The Hombre (centre) will head a strong New Zealand challenge at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Photo / Supplied

Horse trainers can panic when weather forecasters change their predictions leading up to a major race.

Hastings horseman John Bary is ecstatic that the Brisbane weather forecast has done a sharp u-turn in the past 48 hours.

Bary's long-term plans for The Hombre in Saturday's A$500,000 Queensland Derby looked like being skittled by a Brisbane forecast for rain yesterday and today.

It was fine in Brisbane yesterday and altered predictions are for that to continue today, much to Bary's relief.

Rain was the last barrier that could have stood in the way of The Hombre, for whom every other element on his first Australian campaign has gone even beyond Bary's wildest hopes.

"His fitness is absolutely bang on and mentally he is far more advanced than I could ever have imagined."

Bary knew he was on the right track for the biggest win of his brief career this weekend when The Hombre was the headliner out of Tuesday morning's Breakfast With The Stars at Eagle Farm.

Working with a horse from the stable of former Cambridge trainer Brian Smith, The Hombre ran easily the fastest last 800m of the exhibition session, faster even than high-class act Whobegotyou, favourite for Saturday's 1400m Stradbroke Handicap.

"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," said Bary.

Regular rider Jonathan Riddell was scheduled to arrive from New Zealand last night to ride The Hombre in trackwork this morning, but surprised Bary by landing in Brisbane on Monday night, despite a bout of flu, and rode the horse in the Breakfast With The Stars.

"Jonathan didn't ask him for a real effort, he just let him stride along comfortably, so it was terrific work," said Bary.

The only seeming negative on paper arrived when The Hombre drew barrier No 18 when acceptances were taken yesterday.

But even that is nowhere near as bad as it looks. Had The Hombre drawn No 1 gate the opposition would certainly have looked to cross him early and box him up on the rail, a position he hates.

Four of the emergencies have drawn inside 18, which means if the field stays intact The Hombre will come out of gate 14.

"There is a 400m run to the first bend so there's plenty of time to end up where he needs to be."

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 beautifully.

Perhaps because of the barrier draw, most 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 Zealander Fieldmaster is second favourite at $6.

New Zealand's other Derby runners, Time Keeper and Miss Keepsake, winner of Saturday's Queensland Oaks, have drawn well at No 3 and No 6.

Not so lucky is the Stephen McKee-trained 2-year-old Starcheeka, who came up with 18 in the A$500,000 TJ Smith. The difficult job of riding him from out there goes to Glen Boss.

His stablemate Culminate has arrived in Brisbane to contest the Stradbroke Handicap in which she has a luxury 51.5kg. Scott Seamer has been engaged.

Sam Spratt will once again partner another Stradbroke hopeful, stablemate Mufhasa, who will greatly appreciate the firmer track this time.

New Zealand's biggest representation comes in the A$300,000 Brisbane Cup (2400m) with Sir Slick, Indikator, Ekstreme, Court Ruler, Castle Heights and Vickezzchardonnay engaged.

Saturday's Trentham races will go ahead with only a couple of smaller-than-usual fields.

The recorded 75ml of rain since Saturday seemed to put connections off nominating for the meeting on Tuesday when a four-horse and two five-horse fields were received.

When those nominations were left open, trainers rallied and yesterday there were a couple of five-horse fields finalised with reasonable numbers in most other races.

THAT'S FINE THEN

* A changed Brisbane weather pattern alters everything.
* Hastings trainer John Bary has been praying for fine weather and gets his wish.
* Bary has The Hombre in great shape for Saturday's big A$500,000 test.