The 2011 Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden is settling in well ahead of Sunday's Hong Kong Vase.

Dunaden won the race two years ago and finished fifth in last year's renewal.

This time around he comes into the race following a fifth in the Japan Cup on November 24, an effort which followed a midfield run in Fiorente's Melbourne Cup.

"He lost a shoe in the Japan Cup and we found it on the bend but we could not figure out whether he lost it during the race or after," trainer Mikel Delzangles said.

"Anyway, his hoof remained a little warm until his arrival here and the blacksmith has done a good job fixing it.

"Dunaden is as good as ever now. He knows his routine nowadays so there's nothing we will change and I hope he will do well on Sunday.

"It's only two weeks between runs which is tight but the horse looks to be happy and fresh. The trick is just to keep him happy."