James Cummings will rely on Paulele as his sole runner in the Eskimo Prince Stakes after scratching Zethus in favour of a Victorian assignment.

Both colts were dual acceptors for the Group 3 Sydney sprint and the Manfred Stakes at Caulfield, but Cummings confirmed on Thursday he had decided to split the pair.

Paulele is a clear-cut $2.40 favourite for the Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m) at Randwick where he is unbeaten in four starts.

“He will get the opportunity to keep building on his already enviable Randwick record,” Cummings said.

Paulele downed subsequent Golden Rose winner In The Congo to claim the Rosebud first-up in the spring and went on to capture the Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes over Saturday’s course and distance.

He was spelled after disappointing in the Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington and Cummings said the three-year-old had taken good benefit from his fourth to the speedy Malkovich in a recent barrier trial.

“There were good horses in that trial and he was out there to take lots of improvement from it, which he did,” Cummings said.

“He has come right on from then and that was a good, solid hitout to be ready for a six-furlong target first-up.”

The Eskimo Prince Stakes is a traditional autumn starting point for the three-year-olds, Godolphin last claiming the race in 2018 with Kementari, who went on to win the Randwick Guineas.

It has again attracted an intriguing field that includes Caulfield Guineas runner-up Captivant ($21) and Bondi Stakes winner Hilal ($14), who are both expected to improve as they are stepped up in distance.

Tulloch Lodge’s Converge ($4.20) is regarded as Paulele’s biggest danger as he looks to recapture his Group 1 juvenile form having had his spring campaign cut short after one run.

Chris Waller is set to start four runners with Ranch Hand scratched from the Manfred Stakes in favour of Sydney where he will be joined by stablemates Coastwatch, Giannis and Mana Nui in the Eskimo Prince.