The Chelmsford Stakes at Randwick will provide Chris Waller’s chief rivals with valuable information, as Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott unleash two of their spring hopefuls, Vauban and Sir Delius. Both runners are kicking off campaigns designed to have them peaking for the Melbourne Cup in November.

The 1600m assignment is a significant drop back in trip for the pair. Sir Delius, a Group 3 winner in France, burst onto the Australian scene with an emphatic 2000m win at Doomben in May, while Vauban collected a Group 3 and a Group 1 placing during the autumn. Saturday’s feature will act as a fitness builder and measuring stick rather than a prime target.

“They have trialled up really well respectively going into it,” Bott said. “It’s fair to say the mile is probably going to be a bit short for them both first-up but I feel they’re set for nice campaigns. They’re in really good order and they can run a nice race fresh but no doubt it’s still a long way from their main targets and they are much better suited going over a bit further.”

Vauban, who has twice contested the Melbourne Cup without featuring, and Sir Delius, unbeaten since joining the stable, both sit at $11 in current Melbourne Cup (3200m) betting.

The duo will part ways after Randwick, with Bott confirming Sir Delius is bound for Melbourne while Vauban is set to remain in Sydney. “Sir Delius will most likely head straight down to Melbourne and there are a few different options we can take within those paths, depending on what we see first-up and where we feel we need to get to in order to get to the Melbourne Cup,” he said.

As for the Chelmsford itself, Ceolwulf is the $2 favourite, Sir Delius holds the second line at $4, and Vauban is rated at $11 with bookmakers.