New Zealand's dual-purpose galloper Indikator will take on the local version of himself in next month's Grand National Hurdle at Sandown.

The Darren Weir-trained Gotta Take Care is likely to start favourite in the July 13 contest but Indikator will go into the $200,000 feature unbeaten over jumps.

Gotta Take Care has successfully mixed flat and hurdle racing during the past four seasons while Indikator has taken to jumping in terrific fashion with wins at his first three outings over obstacles.

Indikator was also able to win his fourth Group Three Rotorua Cup on the flat last month but trainer Keith Opie said the gelding's age meant he was running out of time to record his maiden Australian win.

"He's 10, nearly 11 and there might not be too much left in the old boy," Opie said.

"He's been a great horse and we thought it's the right time to bring him to Australia to run over hurdles."

Indikator travelled to Melbourne from Opie's Te Aroha base on Sunday and the trainer said the 83-start veteran had settled in well at former champion jumps jockey Brett Scott's Mornington property.

Opie said Indikator would school over the Australian hurdles for the first time at Cranbourne on Wednesday with race rider Craig Thornton flying across the Tasman to partner him.

"Craig has ridden him at his three jumps starts and he knows him well," Opie said.

Indikator will trial alongside another Kiwi visitor, the Kevin Myers-trained Sea King, in the 2800m trial.

Indikator has raced in Australia previously with placings in the Group Three Colin Stephen Quality and Group Three Tattersall's Cup on his record.