high hopes for junior

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Brian Meehan expects David Junior to put up a bold show in Saturday's Breeders' Cup Classic despite coming into the race on the back of a four-month break.

Meehan supervised another light workout for the colt and his Turf runner Red Rocks on the dirt course at Churchill Downs on Friday morning and he is keen to get on with the big event.

"The lay-off isn't an issue and the horse is fresh but also fit and well," he said.

"He looks magnificent and remember he'd had a five-month lay-off before he ran in Dubai. Jamie rode him in work 10 days ago and thinks he's improved.

"It's in his pedigree to enjoy the surface and we're ready to go. I've done my job and delivered him."

David Junior, who will be having his first start since winning the Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown in early July, subsequently side-stepped engagements in the Irish Champion and Juddmonte International Stakes.

Meehan was keen to have a fresh horse for the Breeders' Cup, although he has trialled through an American-style gate at Manton.

The trainer added: "The Irish Champion and the York race were two races I would like to have taken in but I felt that would have screwed-up our preparation for tomorrow, so we didn't.

"Consequently I've been able to do just what I wanted with the colt for the last month in which he's been clearing and blowing well after his work.

"I bought this horse at Calder and he's bred for the dirt.

"He's one kilogram lighter than he was for the Eclipse and when that gate opens it's going to be a level playing field.

"I imagine Jamie will take him to the inside, although it would be wrong for a man like me who has never ridden a winner to tie my jockey down to any one strategy.

"There will be a lot of action in the race and he'll be able to do his own thing."

Meehan is also hoping Red Rocks can acquit himself well in the 12-furlong Turf and feels this colt has "grown up" during his stay in Louisville.

He added: "He's become a man and is really up for it. I haven't done much with him but he's ready for a fight."