Eight-year-old entire Unusual Suspect is being aimed towards a trip to the Dubai World Cup Carnival in the Middle East in March.

Unusual Suspect finished ninth in last year’s Melbourne Cup behind French stayer Dunaden.

The Unusual Heat entire has not raced since his Melbourne Cup run and has had a long spell ahead of his planned Dubai Gold Cup start on March 31.

The horse is scheduled to fly into Dubai tomorrow, where he will be quarantined and allowed to get used to his surroundings prior to the $1 million race.

Unusual Suspect will have two lead-up races in Dubai before the 3,200 metre Gold Cup.

“He’ll have his first run at the end of the month, one in February, one in early March and then the World Cup race,’’ co-owner Peter Lord said.

‘‘From a racing perspective, I think he’ll figure quite well over there.’’

The owner was thrilled that Unusual Suspect was invited to partake in the prestigious carnival.

‘‘Aside from the experience, it’s one of those countries that any owner would like to look at,’’ Lord said.

‘‘Not only from a prestige perspective, but also in money, this is one of the richest races in the world with $30 million in prize money on that particular night.

‘‘To be able to think you’ve got a horse that’s good enough to go there is a thrill.

‘‘And from the horse’s perspective, if he is to be successful his value as a stallion will certainly increase.”

Unusual Suspect was purchased from his American connections just prior to last year’s Melbourne Cup by Australian interests.

The entire has won two of his 22 race starts, with his biggest result being a win in the Group 1 Hollywood Turf Cup at America’s Hollywood Park in November, 2010.