The Doncaster Mile is the most likely autumn possibility for the talented but luckless Ethiopia.

Owner Trevor Delroy says if Ethiopia runs this autumn it will be at the scene of his one-and-only success in what will be the briefest of campaigns.

Ethiopia returned to Delroy's West Australian property after finishing last in the Melbourne Cup when he suffered a hip injury.

"He's had a few issues apart from the problem in the Cup," Delroy said.

"He's a very thin-soled horse and he has to be looked after or there can be problems."

After a brief but promising spring campaign in which his best run was his fourth placing in the Cox Plate behind Ocean Park, Ethiopia went to the West but is now at Pat Carey's stable on the Mornington Peninsula.

"He'll do nothing but beach work," Delroy said.

"Pat has the facilities and the patience that suit him."

Ethiopia has won more than $1 million despite last year's ATC Australian Derby being his only win from his eight starts.

Should he make it to the Doncaster at Randwick on April 20 it is likely to be his only run for the preparation.