Rejuvenated Osipenko chasing Gold in 2025 Hawkesbury Cup
Osipenko’s path hasn’t been straightforward, but the Chris Waller stable believes he is finally recapturing the form that once marked him as a star in the making. He’ll aim to continue that resurgence in Saturday’s Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m).
He rose to prominence as a three-year-old with an eye-catching third in the Caulfield Guineas and a win in the Hobartville Stakes, but illness and inconsistency saw his trajectory stall.
Despite a decent showing in the Doncaster Mile and Group 1 efforts in the spring, Osipenko was gelded after a flat finish in The Ingham and struggled to bounce back immediately.
“He ran third in a Caulfield Guineas and that’s the horse we thought he was,” said Charlie Duckworth. “It just took him a long time to find that level again.”
Signs of a return came with a January Cup win, and he backed that up with a strong performance first-up in the All Aged Stakes.
“He was brilliant first-up. I think he is right back to where we thought he was as a three-year-old,” Duckworth added. “The wet track will suit, and he’s come through that run in great order.”
Waller will also be represented by Mare Of Mt Buller, with both stablemates rated $10. Punch Lane heads the market at $3.60 with betting sites.
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