Dunaden's participation in a third consecutive Emirates Melbourne Cup could hang upon the outcome of the Qatar Prix Foy (0.10am, Monday) at Longchamp. A high finishing position in the principal trial of older horses for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe may mean trainer Mikel Delzangles and owner Sheikh Fahad Al Thani point him towards the European finale itself rather than heading back to Flemington once again, reports Racing Victoria.

Dunaden made his name in Australia with that memorable defeat of Red Cadeaux back in 2011

Subsequently a Group 1 winner in the Hong Kong Vase, Dunaden was a model of consistency as he was prepared towards retaining his crown last year and demonstrated his class with victory in the BMW Caulfield Cup.

Click here to view Dunaden's 2012 Caulfield Cup victory.

However, he failed to land a blow in the Cup when only 14th and the slump continued as his old foe Red Cadeaux turned the tables at Sha Tin.

His horse might now be seven, and seeking his first win in nearly a year, but the laid-back Delzangles is anything but concerned.

Dunaden has been second in two consecutive Group 1s, to the now-retired St Nicholas Abbey in the Coronation Cup at Epsom (2400m) and to Novellist over the same trip in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.

That form has been unequivocally franked after Novellist, a leading Arc contender from Germany, went on to a commanding victory in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.

Delzangles has given Dunaden a spell since late June, and he said: "It was a good run last time, especially with the way Novellist won at Ascot, and I'm hoping he can run well on Sunday.

"After that, we will know which way we go next, if we go to the Arc or if we go back to Australia."

It will take an outstanding effort to lift this 2400-metre Group 2, as Dunaden is to face last year's winner Orfevre, brought back from Japan to avenge his heartbreaking defeat in the Arc.

Adding strength-in-depth to the field are Mandour, an initial Sportingbet Cox Plate prospect for Alain de Royer-Dupre but stepping up in trip, as well as Now We Can, who had been considered for the Cup by Nicolas Clement before his prolific winning streak was ended in last month's Grand Prix de Deauville (2500m).

Aidan O'Brien's Camelot, who has not yet lived up to expectations as a four-year-old, remains another live danger.