"He likes to get in position early and Jerry (Bailey) will get him there."

However, Cuevas, who has overseen Medaglia d'Oro's preparation in the absence of trainer Bobby Frankel, claims the wide draw is not so great a disadvantage.

"It doesn't really matter where he's drawn, because he has the speed," said Cuevas, who also doubles up as an exercise rider. "Nobody knows this track better than Jerry and I think he will have sufficient time to get him into a strong position from which he can make his run."

Racing experts from America claim Medaglia d'Oro is running into the form of his life, as illustrated by his dominating performance when winning last month's Donn Handicap (Gr 1).

Perhaps no one is more aware of Medaglia d'Oro's capabilities than joint favourite Pleasantly Perfect's trainer Richard Mandella, who has thrice saddled the runner-up in Dubai.

"He won the Donn in impressive style, and looks to be in great form," acknowledged Mandella.
"But we beat him in the Breeders' Cup and I think we can do it again." Reminded of his Dubai jinx, the American Hall of Fame conditioner replied philosophically. "I'm just looking for good luck racing, that's what we need.

"The way the track is set up here I don't think the post position makes a lot of difference. I think racing luck plays a bigger role."

Pleasantly Perfect, a six-year-old by Pleasant Colony, has won 7 of 14 starts for prize money in excess of $3million. Medaglia d'Oro on the other hand is a year younger and the winner of eight races for stakes of $4.5million.

Third favourite, the South African-bred Victory Moon who has won both his prep races at Nad Al Sheba, was drawn in stall nine with fourth favourite and Japanese contender Admire Don, set to break from three.

Godolphin, a four-time winner of the World Cup, saw their lightly-raced U.S. import Grand Hombre drawn in eight, with the locally-trained State Shinto who is making his fourth appearance, drawn widest of the 12-horse field.

"I was hoping to be close to the rail but I did not want number one or two," said Admire Don's owner Riichi Kondo. With the inside draw I'm confident my jockey (Katsumi Ando) will find a comfortable pace and position to make his run.

"The Americans are powerful but my horse is a very tough competitor and I think he can win," he bragged.

Patrick Gallagher, trainer of multiple Grade 2 winner Domestic Dispute, who drew the inside post tongue in cheek: "Well, it's the shortest way around, isn't it? You'd like to be a little more outside, but you've got to take the luck of the draw and make the best of it. We've got a horse who looks like he has a chance."

Leandro Mora, assistant to trainer Doug O'Neill who saddled Fleetstreet Dancer to win the Japan Cup Dirt (Gr 1), also believes his horse has a bigger chance than his odds of 10-1 may suggest.

"He loves this track. If everything goes right you'll see him in the first four on Saturday," he remarked. "I think it's going to be a wait-and-see kind of race."

Commenting on Grand Hombre's draw and chances, Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor said: "I don't think it matters all that much, but what we need is luck in running."