Alec Stewart is relishing his first taste of the Breeders` Cup confident that his charge Mutamam is ready to hold his own against the world`s elite tomorrow.
Late-maturing Mutamam, a best-priced 12-1 with British bookmakers, faces a stern task with Kalanisi and Montjeu among his rivals in the Turf.
But Stewart said: 'We haven`t made the journey for a bit of fun we are looking to win.
'It is an extremely tough assignment and I`m never confident but I am hopeful my horse will do his job.'
Mutamam secured his third success of the year with a comfortable dismissal of Group Three opposition in the Cumberland Lodge Stakes at Ascot last month.
'Five weeks ago we were favouring send the horse to Canada but then before the Champion Stakes we decided on the Breeders` Cup. We didn`t think Montjeu and Kalanisi would come here,' said Stewart.
'It`s true that he hasn`t won a Group One but he`s been placed in two Group Ones.
'He`s trained on the track in Dubai so he knowshow to come round these tight tracks. I`m sure he`ll come round here as if he`s done it all his life.'
A powerful European squad for the Turf race also includes Fruits of Love and Fantastic Light.
Fruits of Love is back in the best of health after injury prevented him tackling the Woodbine International.
His trainer Mark Johnston will use lasix and bute, medication which is permitted in Kentucky.
'We want all the help we can and we may as well make it a level playing field,' said Johnston.
Fruits of Love, available at 25-1, was today put through his paces on the Churchill Downs track by the trainer`s wife Deirdre.
'My first impression of the horse since he arrived here is that he is in great shape,' said Johnston.
'He`s raced in nine countries including Japan and Dubai so this horse is used to travelling.'
Montjeu is down to 7-2 (from 9-2) with Coral despite the prevailing fast ground being against him.
The French colt has been troubled by an ankle problem and can run with the aid of the anti-inflammatory drug bute but connections have announced they will not be using lasix.
His jockey Mick Kinane said: 'He hasn`t been the force he was since the ankle setback but it was a good run against Kalanisi in the Champion Stakes and he doesn`t have much to find.
'The owners have been pretty brave as it would have been the easiest thing to put him away.'
Ireland`s Giant`s Causeway, the main stumbling block to America`s main hope Fusaichi Pegasus in the Classic, remained in the quarantine barn today.
'He was very hyper when he got here but is starting to chill down now,' said trainer Aidan O`Brien.
'He`s been going for a long time but if any horse can do it, he can. He`s actually 15 kilos heavier than his last race.'
Kinane dispelled fears that racing from the number 14 box on the wide outside will seriously inconvenience Giant`s Causeway.
'If we were drawn low we might have been under pressure to get an early lead. From the outside we can move gradually across,' he said.
Several of Europe`s challengers for the Mile exercised on the track including Distant View, Arkadian Hero and Indian Lodge.
Confidence in Distant Music appears to be growing with Barry Hills` challenger cut for the second day running by William Hill and now a 6-1 chance.
'Things did not go right for this horse earlier in the year and he had problems with his feet but he`s right back now,' reported Hills.
Europe traditionally does not make an impact in the Juvenile but David Loder has laid out a case for Godolphin`s Noverre bucking the trend.
The colt`s half-brother Arazi put up one of the most memorable performances in Breeders` Cup history when winning this event nine years ago.
'There`s a lot in his favour. He has the right profile,' said Loder. 'His half-brother won, so there has to be every chance that he will be suited by the conditions.'
