By Craig Kerry
The all-conquering Chris Waller stable expects the class of Osipenko to prevail over stablemate Saltcoats when he chases a drought-breaking win in the listed January Cup on Saturday at Rosehill.
Waller claimed the inaugural $500,000 The Lakes at Wyong last Saturday with Waterford, and he looks to have one hand on this week’s feature with the top two in the market.
Osipenko, left, winning the Hobartville Stakes with Nash Rawiller aboard at Rosehill on February 18, 2023.Credit: Getty Images
Osipenko, scratched from The Lakes (1600m) in favour of the $200,000 race over 2000m, was a $2.50 Sportsbet favourite with premier jockey James McDonald aboard.
McDonald, who has not ridden in Sydney since November 13, was set to return from suspension and a Hong Kong stint on Friday night at Canterbury.
He heads overseas again after Saturday’s meeting to ride Voyage Bubble in Hong Kong on Sunday and superstar Romantic Warrior the following weekend in Dubai.
Despite his absences, McDonald holds a 10-win lead, on 46, as he chases a seventh consecutive Sydney jockeys’ premiership.
James McDonald will make a fleeting return to Australia this weekend.Credit: Getty Images
Osipenko is one of several top chances for McDonald on Saturday. The five-year-old has not won since claiming the Frank Packer Plate 21 months ago but was denied in a photo-finish by Tavi Time on Boxing Day in the group 3 Summer Cup (2000m) at Randwick.
Four-year-old Saltcoats ($3.60) was the main danger after back-to-back wins at benchmark 88 grade. Both horses have won on heavy going, which Rosehill was on Thursday with further rain predicted.
Waller’s assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth gave the nod to Osipenko.
“I think Osipenko, now that he’s applying himself properly,” Duckworth said.
Kerrin McEvoy will ride Saltcoats at Rosehill on Saturday.Credit: Getty
“He’s got genuine group 1 form, so I think it’s hard to go past him really. Osipenko proved himself as a very good horse as a three-year-old and should have just about won the Caulfield Guineas.
“He’s always promised plenty in his track work and every run since, and this prep he took forever to come into form, but his last two runs have been very good.
“Saltcoats took forever to mature, both mentally and physically, but he’s now finally there. Obviously this is a step up in grade, which makes things harder for him, but he gets a nice light weight.”
Kerrin McEvoy was pleased to have the ride on Saltcoats.
Tommy Berry and Saltcoats win at Randwick on December 14.Credit: Getty Images
“It’s been in good form and running well,” McEvoy said. “The trip is no problem. He’s probably up in grade a little bit, but he’s in winning form. He’s always shown a bit, and he’s putting it together now.”
Waller and McDonald also combine with $1.6 million Wootton Bassett colt Wodeton, which makes his much-anticipated debut in the two-year-old opener over 1100m. The Coolmore prospect, a $13 Golden Slipper chance off two seconds in trials, was a $1.85 favourite.
“It’s crazy the amount of talk about him,” Duckworth said.
“But he’s trialled up super impressively and every time he steps out, he’s the ultimate professional.
“I don’t think it will faze him, his first start, but you just don’t quite know what’s under the bonnet because we’ve never asked for a maximum effort. We are doing it all on feel and looks.”
McDonald also rides Tajanis ($7), last-start winner Autumnmation ($11) and Cigar Flick ($3.90) for Waller, and Polyglot ($2.10) for Godolphin.
“It’s good to have him back,” Duckworth said of McDonald.
“He’s been missed, definitely, especially now with Nash [Rawiller] out [injured].”
Waller had several top-liners, including Australia’s best, Via Sistina, down to trial on Thursday at Warwick Farm but heavy rain prompted a move to Monday.
On Friday night, Waller has four runners on the Magic Millions program, but all have wide draws. Duckworth said Tannhauser in the Subzero (2200m) remained a good chance.
“He’ll stay the distance no problem at all, and he’s a swooper, so I think that draw isn’t too bad for him,” he said.
McEvoy, meanwhile, has welcomed an inside draw for Peter Snowden-trained Memo in the $3 million Magic Millions Classic.
“Happy with the draw, and you can put a line through last start,” McEvoy said of the $6 favourite.
“And probably the track drying out is favourable as well. I think if we can just get a bit of cuddle up and smother, she can put in a good finish.
“There was no tempo last start, she was wide and she just got a bit keen on that tempo. On that, Pete left a bit in the tank, so there’s improvement.”
McEvoy rides Bjorn Baker’s Arriving Home in the $3 million MM Guineas.
