Chris Waller hasn’t lost faith in Osipenko, despite the five-year-old’s inconsistent results since bursting onto the scene as a promising three-year-old. He’s now set to contest the Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m) this Saturday.

Osipenko’s early form included a brilliant third in the Caulfield Guineas and a Group 2 win in the Hobartville Stakes, but illness prevented him from lining up in the Randwick Guineas and his momentum faltered.

Although he was competitive in top-level races, a below-par effort in The Ingham led to him being gelded, and the stable was left searching for answers when his form didn’t immediately rebound.

“Then for whatever reason… it took forever and a day to get him back into form,” assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth said. “But he ended last prep in good fashion and he has come back in even better style.”

That return included a Listed win in the January Cup and a strong run fresh in the All Aged Stakes. With soft ground forecast at Hawkesbury, conditions could play to his strengths.

“He was brilliant first-up. I think he’s right back to the level he showed as a three-year-old,” Duckworth said.

A solid performance could pave the way to a Doomben Cup campaign. Waller also runs Mare Of Mt Buller in the race, with both runners quoted at $10. Punch Lane holds favouritism at $3.60 through betting sites.