When Chris Waller sends a runner to Melbourne for the Group 1 season opener, it is a sign the horse has the right credentials.
The last time Waller had representation in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield was in 2015 when Boban scored a narrow win while stablemate Weary finished in fourth place.
In the past seven years, Waller has concentrated on the early Group 1 races in Sydney, but on Saturday will have dual representation in the shape of Osipenko and Princess Grace.
Both horses featured at the business end of the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on August 19, with Princess Grace finishing runner-up to stablemate Fangirl while Osipenko was one-and-a-quarter lengths away in fifth place.
The pair are the only two Memsie runners to have started their campaigns in Sydney before heading to Melbourne for the spring opener.
Both Osipenko and Princess Grace have drawn next to each other in barriers two and three respectively.
Osipenko has had experience around Caulfield, finishing seventh in the Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) before running third to Golden Mile in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m).
“Osipenko drew wide first-up (at Randwick) and he ran home really well,” Waller said.
“I’m hoping he’s still sharp enough second-up for the 1400 metres, but he ran third in the Caulfield Guineas, so he gets around Caulfield well.”
American-bred mare Princess Grace is now into her second Australian preparation.
Her first campaign during the autumn saw her register a Group 2 placing in the Sapphire Stakes at Randwick before going on to win the Group 3 Hawkesbury Crown (1300m) on April 22.
After two trials, Princess Grace resumed with her Winx Stakes narrow second to Fangirl.
“Her run was good first-up,” Waller said.
“All her racing in America was left-handed so Caulfield should be no trouble.
“It’s a very competitive race but they’re both in there with good chances.”
