Dunaden is never better than at this time of year - a fact which has encouraged trainer Mikel Delzangles to prepare for a big run in the Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin.

The 2011 Melbourne Cup winner, who also claimed this race in the same year, looked unlucky in running when beaten just a length and a half on his last outing in the Japan Cup.

"He was a little too far back in Japan and we were unlucky to be closer," Delzangles said.

"But this is his time of year, and the Japan Cup run tells me he's right back to his best.

"A strong pace is a help to him, and I hope we get one, but it's also important that he gets into a good position.

"He looks well, but then so do many others in the race."

Jamie Spencer's mount took the eye in some routine work on the all-weather track at Sha Tin on Friday morning and will cross swords with several old adversaries in the Vase, amongst them the Luca Cumani-trained Mount Athos.

"He was up there in the first four or five throughout the race at Flemington and while the other pacesetters fell away, he stayed there to finish third," Matt Cumani, the Newmarket handler's son, said.

"That was a contrast to his run in the previous Melbourne Cup when he came from off the pace to get into the shake-up, proving he's versatile in terms of his track craft.

"But I think he was well handicapped in Melbourne and the Vase is a Group One."