The son of Downbytheseaside drew barrier one at this morning's barrier draw and looks destined to start a warm favourite for the feature.
Waverider secured his place in the $100,000 event by winning his heat in 1:56.8 last Tuesday and took his record to four wins from as many starts in the process.
Trainer Ryan Bell said he expected his star juvenile to be able to hold the lead from the favourable draw, despite the speedy Ten To The Dozen possessing blistering gate speed in barrier seven.
"He's on top of his game," Bell told The Trots WA.
"I think he will be able to hold up.
"We didn't chase Franco Ecuador out in the heat against Ten To The Dozen last week and he's nowhere near as quick as Waverider.
"They would be having to pull out all stops if they wanted to try and cross him."
Bell's other two pacers to qualify Franco Encore and Heez A Vibe drew barrier two and 11 respectively for the Group 2 event.
Bell, who will be looking to score his first win in the Pearl Classic, said he leant to Heez A Vibe over Franco Encore being the bigger threat to Waverider.
"Franco Encore has come to the end of his preparation, but he can still run a place this week," he said.
"Heez A Vibe has come on really well since the heat run.
"It's a good enough draw where he will be able to find a position and he's really nice to drive when he's able to do that.
"He's the one that can be flooding home late on Friday."
Ten To The Dozen is one of four runners in the race for trainers Greg and Skye Bond.
The pair also have Thelittle Master (barrier three), Thenu Came Along (four) and Golden Lode (six) engaged in the event.
Aiden De Campo has two runners in the event, with Grevis (barrier 10) and Menemsha (12) both having to overcome back row draws.
Meanwhile, Bell's star pacer Shockwave is set to miss November's TABtouch-WA Pacing Cup, after he was dealt a minor setback.
Bell described it as a "simple training mishap" and indicated there wouldn't be enough time to have Shockwave ready for the $450,000 feature.
Bell said he was confident he would have Shockwave ready in time for next year's TABtouch-Nullarbor and Retravision-Fremantle Cup.
