'You have to be bulletproof, and we think he's as bulletproof as we can have him' - is this City Of Troy's date with destiny in Breeders' Cup Classic?

Aidan O'Brien has compared City Of Troy's attempt at creating history at Del Mar to a world championship boxing match as team Ballydoyle go in search of a first success in the £5 million Breeders' Cup Classic. In the words of ring announcer Michael Buffer, lets get ready to rumble.

The question on everyone's lips leading up to the main event is 'can he do it?' Well the wait is almost over as the four-time top-level winner bids to become O'Brien's Classic conqueror at the 18th time of asking.

Giant's Causeway came within a neck of Tiznow on O'Brien's first crack at the race in 2000, while Henrythenavigator also finished second in 2008. However, 7-4 favourite City Of Troy arguably presents the master trainer with his best chance of success.

City Of Troy walks into the paddock on Thursday morning at Del Mar

Big-race preparation: City Of Troy walks into the paddock at Del MarCredit: Edward Whitaker

Of his stable star's date with destiny, O'Brien said: "We're very happy with the preparation. We've given him a hard time lately and it's like going into a world championship boxing match.

"You have to be bulletproof, and we think he's as bulletproof as we can have him before he runs. Then, who knows, maybe there could be more things we should have done."

Reflecting on his previous reverses in the 1m2f contest, O'Brien said: "I've looked back at those losses 100 times, of course, and if we've made a mistake, and there's always loads of mistakes we make, we try to learn everything we can.

"Obviously when they run bad and get beat then that's another stone we have to look under. At the moment, we think we've looked under them all for a horse who has never run here in America."

The three-year-old son of Justify, who was last seen landing the Juddmonte International at York in August, has never raced on dirt and will face a number of formidable opponents.

Second-favourite Fierceness brings red-hot form into the race after following his Jim Dandy Stakes success with victory in the Grade 1 Travers Stakes at Saratoga in August.

Japanese runner Forever Young scored in the Japan Dirt Classic last time, while Sierra Leone and Ushba Tesoro both hold winning form at the highest level.

One thing for sure is that O'Brien will have City Of Troy primed and ready for his biggest challenge, and time will tell if the Derby-winning colt can create history before heading off into retirement.

Tote pools open

The Tote are allowing bets to be made directly into the US pools for the Breeders' Cup meeting on Saturday evening.

Punters will be able to take advantage of potentially favourable odds on British and Irish-trained runners, including Classic favourite City Of Troy, when they place bets through the Tote, which will offer Placepots and Quadpots for the meeting.

The Placepot, which features six of the nine Grade 1 races, opens with the Distaff (8.21) and concludes with the Mile (11.45).

What they say

Doug O'Neill, trainer of Mixto
He has two wins at this track and is the only one in the field to have won over course and distance. I definitely feel like he has a chance.

Todd Fincher, trainer of Senor Buscador
He's handled every track he has run at except Santa Anita. His comeback run here in the Grade 2 Pat O’Brien did not set up right for him.

Cherie DeVaux, trainer of Pyrenees
He's been up for the task in each race and has run second in two very good Grade 1s. I don't think he's reached his top, and he's going to have to do that, but it's definitely in him.

Fierceness: holds leading claims to rival City Of Troy at Del MarCredit: Horsephotos

Mike Repole, owner-breeder of Fierceness
We're extremely happy with his draw [nine] and Del Mar will suit his close-to-the-pace style. I’m not sure if he's going to be on the lead or in second or third position, but he’ll be up there early. He's the horse to beat.

Todd Pletcher, trainer of Tapit Trice
The Jockey Club Gold Cup was only his second start of the year, and I think having that good win in the Woodward Stakes under his belt will put him in a position to be at his best.

Chad Brown, trainer of Sierra Leone
How he adapts to the track will be a big factor. He's doing very well and I've been very pleased with his preparation. If he runs to his last couple of numbers he'll be very competitive.

Bob Baffert, trainer of Newgate
He has moved forward since his big effort when third at Santa Anita, but he'll need to. I'm happy with him coming into the race, but I would have liked him to have been drawn a bit closer [gate 13], but as always the break is most important. Frankie [Dettori] will work something out.

Doug Cowans, trainer of Next
One of the reasons we didn't try a mile and a quarter before the Breeders' Cup was we didn't want to deviate from the plan we had set out. We're just going to treat this like it's a mile-and-a-half race. Hopefully, he'll get himself into a rhythm, settle real nice and finish like he always does. He's an extra special horse.

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