Global mining majors Rio Tinto RIO.AX and BHP group BHP.AX lost 1.8% and 1.4%, respectively. By Yamini C S Oct 27 (Reuters) - Australian shares were largely flat on Wednesday, as early gains were countered by subdued mining stocks, domestic inflation data and a sharp fall in Woolworths Group after the supermarket major flagged a slowdown in sales. Markets were rattled after Australia's core inflation accelerated to a six-year high in the September quarter, fuelling fears that interest rates could be hiked sooner than previously advised by the country's central bank.