New Zealander The Hombre has been elevated to favouritism for the Queensland Derby following his win in the Rough Habit Plate at Doomben.The John Bary-trained three-year-old was second past the post but won Saturday's race in the stewards' room after Jonathan Riddell's successful protest against Luke Nolen, rider of the wayward Tee Emar.Stewards deemed The Hombre deserved the win and TAB punters agreed with his price slashed to $5 on Sunday.Former favourite Kutchinsky, who did not race on Saturd
New Zealander The Hombre has been elevated to favouritism for the Queensland Derby following his win in the Rough Habit Plate at Doomben.
The John Bary-trained three-year-old was second past the post but won Saturday's race in the stewards' room after Jonathan Riddell's successful protest against Luke Nolen, rider of the wayward Tee Emar.
Stewards deemed The Hombre deserved the win and TAB punters agreed with his price slashed to $5 on Sunday.
Former favourite Kutchinsky, who did not race on Saturday, is the new second elect, remaining at $6.50 with Tee Emar in a group on $7.50.
Randwick winner Landlord was another big mover, firming to $11 after his 2000 metre victory on Saturday.
Bary said The Hombre was unlikely to have another start before his Group One assignment at Eagle Farm on June 12.
"He's still learning his craft and I'll see how he pulls up but he races best fresh and we will probably roll on to the Derby," Bary said.
Landlord is trained by Bart Cummings whose most recent Queensland Derby win was with Empires Choice in 2007.
The master trainer's record is currently 259 Group One wins and his chances of making it 260 in Brisbane this winter are strong with three-year-old sprinter Latin News on target for an elite win.
The Gosford Guineas winner was a close third in Saturday's BTC Cup (1200m) won by Albert The Fat from Melito.
He moved to $10 for the Doomben 10,000 on May 29 and $11 for the Stradbroke Handicap two weeks later.
However, his chances of making the Stradbroke field hinge on the weight he receives when handicaps are released on Monday.
Ortensia remains favourite for the two big sprints despite her fifth as favourite in the BTC Cup.
Hollindale Stakes winner Metal Bender continues to edge Road To Rock for favouritism in Saturday's Group One Doomben Cup.
Road To Rock finished second to Metal Bender in the Hollindale after getting boxed in on the fence.
At his previous start he won the Group One Queen Elizabeth Stakes after running second in the Doncaster.
Metal Bender was trained by the late Jack Denham to win the 2009 Randwick and Rosehill Guineas. He is now in the care of Chris Waller.