Racing: Kerr has faith in Christian

Not many trainers are happy about a race rival with a picket fence formline lining up against them.

But in Paul Kerr's case he welcomes the challenge tonight.

Kerr will start his stable star Pay Me Christian at Addington hoping he can take the next step to an elusive invitation to the A$500,000 Miracle Mile next month.

That Sydney sprint is Pay Me Christian's main aim for the season, with victory there enough to guarantee him a commercial first season as a sire.

But before he can win the Miracle Mile he has to get a start, part of the reason Kerr is happy to see Cullens Reign in tonight's race.

"He has been winning them on end so he will be a good challenge for my horse," said Kerr. "But I am sure we are up to it. If we keep winning it only increases our chances of making the Miracle Mile field and Christian is ready for a hard race."

Pay Me Christian won the Sires' Stakes Final and New Zealand Derby last season as well as becoming one of our most valuable standardbreds after Nevele R Stud purchased a half share valuing him at $1 million.

He looked on target to continue his group one form with some dazzling sectionals downing Marika at Addington in his first start back three weeks ago and Kerr says he will be a better horse tonight.

"He has improved a lot with that run and I think he will go a big one this week. Cullens Reign may be good but he is going to need to be."

Safely through tonight's 2600m event Pay Me Christian will head to the Newcastle Mile on November 11, victory in which would almost guarantee him a place in the Miracle Mile.

One stumbling block at Newcastle is Interdominion champion Blacks A Fake, who will now start in the race after missing the Queensland features this week with the after-effects of a virus.

"It will be a hot field at Newcastle but I am not worried about that," said Kerr.

"As long as he draws well he can run the sectionals that will make him hard for any horse to run down."

Pay Me Christian isn't the only Kiwi pacer taking steps toward the Miracle Mile tonight, with Foreal opening her new campaign at Harold Park tonight.

Both she and fellow Kiwi mare Molly Darling will be favoured to win tonight on their way to the Ladyship Mile on November 17, the winner of which usually gets a Miracle Mile start.