It may be ambitious, but trainer Matt Laurie believes Escado can be a contender in next month's Australian Cup.

The 2013 South Australian Derby winner makes his return from a short spell in the Sportingbet Protest Pay Up Handicap (1400m) at Sandown on Saturday.

While winless since his Derby success, Escado performed solidly in his most recent campaign with his sixth in the Emirates Stakes (1600m) at Flemington in November encouraging Laurie to have a crack at the Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 14.

"He's never won at Flemington but he does run some super races there," Laurie said.

"I would like to give him a try in that company over that distance in the Australian Cup."

Escado's spring campaign took Laurie a little by surprise after he struggled to come up in his previous preparation.

"It was a good, honest, genuine effort every time we took him to the races and in good company," he said.

Escado showed his fitness in a Cranbourne trial on January 29, finishing seventh behind Fontein Ruby over 990m and Laurie said it could be hard to get a guide from his work as he was a "lazy bugger" on the track.

Following Saturday's run, Escado will back up into the T S Carlyon Cup (1600m) at Caulfield's return meeting on Saturday week.

It will then be off to the Peter Young Stakes (1800m) on February 28 before the Australian Cup.

With four runs in quick succession, Laurie will be looking for Escado to be hitting the line on Saturday without having a tough run.

"I don't want a gut-buster but a race that will give him good benefit in the view that he will be backing up," Laurie said.

"Then it's two weeks into the 1800 metres and then two weeks into the Australian Cup."