Osipenko wraps up small field in Frank Packer Plate success
It was only a five-horse field engaged for the Frank Packer Plate at Group 3 level, which has seen Osipenko prove too strong for the three-year-olds.
Chris Waller and Nash Rawiller combined with the impressive son of Pierro to take out the opener in a dominant display, rounding up his rivals in short order when turning for home in the 2000m feature.
Rawiller sat quietly towards the rear of the field, stalking the second favorite Pericles every step of the way, before peeling off his back with 400m to go to saluting by just under a length.
Pericles held on nicely for second, while third placegetter Williamsburg will be considered the unlucky runner and arguably would’ve finished much closer with luck when squeezing between the pair for a run.
2023 Group 3 Frank Packer Plate Replay – Osipenko
Chris Waller spoke post-race and was jubilant with the win after a hampered preparation, with Osipenko a last minute withdrawal from the Group 1 Randwick Guineas.
“That was today’s thought process about where we head in the spring,” said Waller.
“Which is what we’re always looking towards is the future. Things haven’t quite gone his way, he had a temperature race morning when he was favourite for the Randwick Guineas and for a colt to win a Randwick Guineas it’s almost a $20 million price tag.
“That was frustrating but we’ve looked after him, he’s come back. He ran well on a wet track in a Doncaster and he’s bounced today with a good win so we can go towards the spring and say ‘look there’s 2000m, we can run it’ and there’s some great 2000m races in the spring.”
He went on to praise Nash (Rawiller) for an outstanding ride as well.
“That was Nash (Rawiller) at his best wasn’t it. He knew Joao (Moreira on Williamsburg – 3rd) to his inside was the one to beat and obviously James McDonald on the Godolphin horse (Pericles – 2nd) so he had them both covered.”
Jockey Nash Rawiller spoke about his colt’s ability moving forward, declaring the 2000m box being ticked a much needed one moving into the spring.
“He’s a talented horse as well all know,” said Rawiller.
“He ticked another box today running the 2000m, he did that nice and strong. Very happy with the way he relaxed in the run and he showed his usual turn of foot which was good.”
“He’s a promising colt. He missed the Randwick Guineas which would’ve been his main aim for the autumn. He went to the George Ryder, was very credible. He was probably the best out of the three-year-olds in the Doncaster.”