Caulfield Cup winner Mongolian Khan has returned to New Zealand having recovered from the illness which forced him out of the Melbourne Cup.

Mongolian Khan, who won the New Zealand and Australian Derbys last season, succumbed to colic the week before the Cup and spent several weeks being treated at the Werribee veterinary clinic.

He arrived back in New Zealand this week and co-trainer Murray Baker said he expected to have him ready to race again in the autumn.

"All going well he'll be back racing in late February, early March," Baker told TVNZ.

Mongolian Khan beat English horse Trip To Paris at Caulfield with the runner-up going on to finish fourth in the Melbourne Cup won by Prince Of Penzance.

Possible Sydney targets for Mongolian Khan include the $1.5 million BMW (2400m) at Rosehill on March 26 and the $4 million Queen Elizabeth Stake at Randwick two weeks later.