Racing: Alta Christiano ready to make amends

O Baby is seeking a big race double at Addington tonight.Picture / Dean Purcell

Paul Kerr has bad news for rival trainers hoping Alta Christiano was flattened by the juvenile pacing run of the season last Saturday.

Because he says the youngster will be even better in the $180,000 Sires' Stakes Final at Addington tonight.

The freshman sprint is one of two groups ones on a programme that also contains the New Zealand Oaks, with most of the big names in both backing up from similar races last Saturday.

But even in a day of electrifying performances, Alta Christiano stood out in defeat last week.

The previously unbeaten colt was three wide in a sizzling last 1000m and only just lost to Bit Of A Legend, who enjoyed the passing lane, and Five Card Draw, a race rival tonight.

Bit Of A Legend is bizarrely missing tonight as he didn't contest a Sires' Stakes heat, leaving Five Card Draw the horse to catch as he is drawn to lead again.

But trainer Kerr is under no doubts Alta Christiano is the best juvenile pacer in the country and that he will show it tonight.

"He was massive last week and that only proved what I already thought, that he is the best," said Kerr.

"He is something special and the best part is he is very, very strong and even though he had a hard run last week he didn't turn a hair.

"He has trained on really well and I think he will be even better this week, while I think some of the others might be worse."

So brave was Alta Christiano he might be able to sit parked and still win, as long as he doesn't have to work too hard to get there.

"We are going to be settling back and moving at the halfway stage and I think that will suit him."

That is a hard way to win a group one race but Alta Christiano could be good enough to do it, with $2.20 being a realistic line in the sand for punters.

The swoopers who quinealled last Saturday's Nevele R Fillies Final look set to dominate the NZ Oaks from the front end of the field tonight.

O Baby came from last to win, courtesy of a cart home on the back of Elusive Chick last Saturday, but the pair are likely to start from two and three tonight.

Elusive Chick deserves a big win after being luckless this year but is perhaps more potent following the speed, which leaves trainer-driver Anthony Butt with a decision early.

If he stays in front he is likely to be pressured but he can't risk handing that role to O Baby as she has top-flight stablemates Twist And Twirl and Dancing Diamonds in the field and could take a trail on them.

Twist And Twirl has been the best of this crop and had her excuses when attacked in front last week but she has copped the worst possible draw for a free-going stayer.

If she gets out to $5 or $6 she is worth taking a chance on in case the tactical cards fall her way.

- Jewels 4-year-old favourite Hands Christian will not race again this year because of a tendon tear.

PREMIER PUNTS

Best bet: Best Deal Yet (R7, No 4): Flying and small field helps.

Each-way: Clover Don (R9, No 8): Enormous last week and could be value because of Thanesan and Dr Hook.

Pressure on: Bit Of A Legend (R11, No 13): Sales Series winner but has to beat older pacers to qualify for Jewels.