The benefit of an autumn cameo appearance for spring Cups hopefuls will be put to the test with Ethiopia at Caulfield on Saturday.

In a growing trend, Green Moon is the most recent and best example of a stayer having success after limited racing between spring carnivals.

Green Moon won the Blamey Stakes in his only autumn run in 2012 before returning in the spring to claim the Turnbull Stakes and Melbourne Cup.

And even though his hand was forced to some extent, trainer Pat Carey is hoping to replicate that success with Ethiopia in the $2.5 million Caulfield Cup.

Carey gave Ethiopia extra time away from the racetrack after the Australian Derby winner took a chunk out his hip as he left the barriers in last year's Melbourne Cup.

The five-year-old reappeared in the Doncaster Mile in April but was found wanting on a rain-affected track.

"We gave him an extended break after the Cup which has given him the chance to come back," Carey said.

Ethiopia has returned mixed results in two Group One lead-in races in preparation for the Caulfield Cup.

They have been an eye-catching fifth in the Makybe Diva Stakes and a last of 14 in the Underwood Stakes.

The Underwood was run at a slow tempo and Carey says that didn't help his stayer's cause.

"Within reason all his runs have been explainable," Carey said.

Carey named the Chris Waller-trained first and second favourites Hawkspur and Royal Descent as the main dangers.

"There are many scenarios in this race, but Hawkspur and Royal Descent probably look the two," Carey said.

He said Ethiopia would sit back and look for an uninterrupted run.