In many ways the tribulations surrounding Rip Van Winkle make a perfect vignette of Europe's assault on the Breeders' Cup. On a good day the Irish horse would carry all before him, whatever the strength of the opposition. On a bad day he could sink without trace.

Yesterday was a good day. A trying transatlantic journey, which gave Aidan O'Brien genuine cause for concern, was countered by the trainer's first sighing of the colt on the Pro-Ride synthetic surface here at this idyllic setting in California. O'Brien was also happy to entertain comparisons to George Washington, another horse to animate him, in terms of their flair.

“He is like George but without the attitude issues,” O'Brien said of Rip Van Winkle. “You have to be careful talking about him. The feel we had from him this morning makes you say too much; he just floated over the track. If he is anywhere the horse he has been this summer, I've no doubt that he would win the Classic [on Saturday].”

However, that is only the part of the deal. A recent complication with Rip Van Winkle's off-hind hoof required binding with tacks and wire, essentially to stop it from splitting. So often has this remedy been used that all four of his hoofs now resemble a film set under construction at the nearby Universal Studios.

Then there is the Classic threat posed by Zenyatta, the local heroine who is straight from the Hollywood hills. Like a grand dame, Zenyatta has kept everyone waiting. Home advantage has afforded her a preparation in privacy, away from prying eyes and the daily helter-skelter that sees hundreds of horses descend on the main track for morning exercise.

The unbeaten Zenyatta is trained by John Shirreffs, a veteran from the Vietnam War who knows how to plot an ambush. She finally arrived yesterday when the track was deserted, lapping the paddock from which she emerged to claim the Ladies' Classic 12 months ago. This time she tackles the colts.

Those who heed O'Brien's assessment of Rip Van Winkle should pause to consider Zenyatta. She races well behind the pace before unleashing an irresistible surge, passing opponents on the outside and galloping hard to the wire. In that respect she is distinctly European in style.

John Gosden, who saddles three runners, amplified why Zenyatta's like is so vital to the Breeders' Cup. He said: “It's great when you have a super filly taking on the colts. It would be a dreadful disappointment if her connections didn't take on the challenge.”

Nevertheless, Gosden is of O'Brien's mindset. “I think if Rip Van Winkle was in top order, he can beat Zenyatta and win the Classic. He comes with the right profile. I think Europe has a lot of horses that have chances in a lot of races.”

Another female who returns to the scene of her triumph at this fixture last year is Forever Together. Trained by Jonathan Sheppard, the grey's profile rose immeasurably for her victory in the Filly & Mare Turf. Henry Cecil's Midday may be favourite to claim her crown but that reflects more on British bookmakers' jingoism than hard evidence.

Sheppard believes this annual meeting between the best of America and Europe is gaining currency. American trainers increasingly relish the challenge of repelling the raiders - even on the synthetic surface that favours grass horses over those proven dirt runners.

English by birth, Sheppard could not be more different from the archetypal Californian trainer. For that you have to advance Bob Baffert, who conducts his daily exchanges with the media from his director's chair.

Baffert's horses are in his mould - in particular Zensational, favourite for the Sprint after some blistering displays of early speed. The grey colt's work here on Monday was in keeping with his name, his rider restraining him all the way through a four-furlong gallop in which he looked like a missile searing down the track.

The gallop served to remind that Europe remains up against it. And any replication of last year's five-winner haul may be needed to insulate against the Breeders' Cup returning to traditional dirt at Churchill Downs next year.