Reliable Man isn't Chris Waller's best chance of a fourth-straight George Ryder Stakes win but his latest import still looms as one of the more interesting runners on a Golden Slipper program littered with stars.

Reliable Man heads into his Australian debut with a high international rating and a form card which includes victory in the 2011 French Derby on a slow track, as well as strong performances behind some of Europe's best.

The five-year-old, who has raced in Group Ones in France, the UK, and Canada, is kicking off his Australian career in a race which also includes stablemates Shoot Out and Danleigh with a view to the spring.

"I thought it was important for him to have a couple of runs (in the autumn)," Waller said.

"If he went straight to the spring he would have been off the scene for a long time.

"But it's very hard to step into Group One horses in their prime and at their peak fitness when he hasn't raced for so long. And it's his first start in Australia."

Waller labelled the import a "very good horse" but a midfield finish in the Ryder, over 1500m, would be acceptable with the Group One Queen Elizabeth Stakes also on his autumn agenda.

"This would top him off nicely for that race and he'd be a much better chance in the Queen Elizabeth," Waller said.

Reliable Man hasn't raced since finishing eighth in the Canadian International Stakes in October.

During the 2012 European season his performances included a fourth to So You Think in the Prince Of Wales' Stakes (2012m) and another fourth behind Danedream, Nathaniel and St Nicholas Abbey in the Group One King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2414m).

The Gai Waterhouse-trained Pierro, aiming to make it 10 wins in as many Sydney starts, is the $1.50 favourite to break Waller's recent dominance of the Ryder.