Carnival stalwart Theseo returned to his brilliant best on a rain-sodden Randwick to claim some big scalps in the Chelmsford Stakes.His all-the-way win in Saturday's Group Two Chelmsford (1600m) brought up a home ground treble for trainer Gai Waterhouse and jockey Nash Rawiller."We're back!," Waterhouse said."Isn't he a champion. He's really come back with a vengeance and will improve again."He'll go on to the George Main and then to Melbourne for the Cox Plate."Punters warmed to Theseo late, se

Carnival stalwart Theseo returned to his brilliant best on a rain-sodden Randwick to claim some big scalps in the Chelmsford Stakes.

His all-the-way win in Saturday's Group Two Chelmsford (1600m) brought up a home ground treble for trainer Gai Waterhouse and jockey Nash Rawiller.

"We're back!," Waterhouse said.

"Isn't he a champion. He's really come back with a vengeance and will improve again.

"He'll go on to the George Main and then to Melbourne for the Cox Plate."

Punters warmed to Theseo late, sending him out the $3 favourite while easing Metal Bender from $2.50 to $3.30.

As expected Theseo took up the running from the outset with Metal Bender camped second on his inside with the track a heavy (9).

Metal Bender fought doggedly along the rail in the straight but with Rawiller steering to the middle of the course, Theseo had too many reserves and went on to win by a length.

Staying mare Purple ($6) ran home well for third another three-quarters of a length away with Metal Bender's stablemate Triple Honour ($5.50) another two lengths fourth.

"I let him bowl along but I was concerned at the half-mile (800m)," Rawiller said.

"He dipped and dived a bit so I let him go quicker.

"I wasn't worried about getting into a cat and mouse game and he (Theseo) got into a nice rhythm."

Trainer Chris Waller was content with the performances of both Metal Bender and Triple Honour.

"Metal Bender kept fighting hard in the conditions and we think this will tighten him up for the Underwood in two weeks," he said.

"Triple Honour doesn't like the heavy tracks the way he used to.

"He'll run in the Hill Stakes next which will be an easier race than this one."

Purple, who is not nominated for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups, is on the path towards the Metropolitan on October 2.

She ran fourth in the Warwick Stakes and continued to improve with her third.

"She went terrific," jockey Josh Parr said.

"She wasn't comfortable being up close early but she has gone home well."

Theseo missed the spring of 2009 due to injury but came back in the autumn to claim Group One victories in the Chipping Norton and Ranvet Stakes.

After he won the 2008 Epsom Handicap, Theseo ran fifth in the Cox Plate before claiming the Mackinnon Stakes.

His Chelmsford victory came four years after his first stakes success in the Dulcify Quality in September 2006.