June 4 (Reuters) - Australian shares were likely to open lower on Thursday, with weaknesses in gold and metal prices potentially weighing on commodity stocks, after the U.S. military's strikes near the Strait of Hormuz dampened risk sentiment.

The local share price index futures YAPcm1 fell 0.9%, a 51.7 point discount to the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO close. The benchmark rose 0.7% on Wednesday.

New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 was flat at 13,114.30 in early trade.

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