Unfancied Durnford will be running in his own backyard when he contests the $120,000 Listed Lord Stakes at Mornington on Sunday.

Trainer Pat Carey is hopeful the five-year-old gelding can recapture his early 2013 form when he won at Caulfield, was placed second at Sandown and was runner-up in the $350,000 Listed Mornington Cup behind Tuscan Fire.

Since then things have gone pear-shaped for Durnford, being unplaced in his last seven races.

"Really, he's gone missing a little bit," said Carey.

Durnford has been freshened up since his seventh in the Listed Ballarat Cup on November 24 and Carey has taken a different tact in his preparation.

"His performance on Sunday will give an indication of how far he can go - maybe another Mornington Cup," said Carey.

"He works here, it's home for him here and we've freshened him up with this race in mind."

Carey is bringing back Melbourne Cup seventh-placed Ethiopia in the $150,000 Group Three Standish Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on New Year's Day - the first time the big gelding has ever raced at less than a mile.

"It's a different approach this time, but we have a different agenda," said Carey.

"He's had a working holiday over the summer.

"We've kept him ticking over in work because we didn't want to let his fitness escape him."