David Payne's stable is outnumbered in the Chelmsford Stakes by that of his Rosehill neighbour Chris Waller, but not outclassed.

Waller has six of the nine runners in Saturday's Group Two feature at Randwick while Payne relies on Criterion to join his previous winners Unearthly (2004), Nevis (2005) and Gallant Tess (2008).

"It's six against one but I'm very happy with Criterion and how he's done since the Warwick Stakes," Payne said.

The winner of last season's Rosehill Guineas and Australian Derby, Criterion showed his Cox Plate preparation was on target with his third in the Warwick Stakes behind Tiger Tees and the Waller-trained Royal Descent.

The Joe Pride-trained wet track sprinting specialist Tiger Tees runs in Saturday's Tramway Stakes (1400m) while Royal Descent, Sacred Falls and Hawkspur, who all ran in the Warwick Stakes, will be joined in the Chelmsford by stablemates Moriarty, Bagman and Junoob.

But punters think Criterion's main opposition is Entirely Platinum from the Hawkes training team.

A newcomer to Group Two racing, Entirely Platinum is the TAB's clear favourite at $2.80 following his first-up win over 1400 metres at Rosehill on August 16.

Entirely Platinum stepped up from restricted class in the autumn to win the Group Three Sky High Stakes (1900m) to prompt thoughts of all the big spring features.

Payne, however, believes Criterion is the proven performer on the way up and earmarked the Cox Plate a long time ago.

"He won the Derby because of his class," he said.

"He is not a true stayer. He is entered in the Caulfield Cup but that's because the entries close so early.

"I doubt he would go to 2400 metres again."

Payne will soon take charge of a horse purpose-bought to run the 3200 metres of the Melbourne Cup.

The Australian Bloodstock-owned Terrubi runs in the Group One Grosser Preis von Baden (2400m) where he meets fellow Melbourne Cup nominees Lucky Speed and Sirius.

"Terrubi runs in Germany on Sunday and then goes to England for quarantine," Payne said.

"I am sending a foreman over there to look after him at Newmarket and bring him to Australia."

Payne also takes Honorius and Bold Circle to Randwick with the intention of backing them both up a week later.

"Bold Circle needs to win the Ming Dynasty and pull up well to go to the Golden Rose," he said.

"And I want to run Honorius in the Kingston Town so he needs to run in the Tramway."

Both missed last Saturday's Rosehill meeting on the heavy track.