Racing: Trainer has a simple plan for Pay Me Christian

Addington today will be a hive of hidden tactics, pre-race nerves and split-second decisions that could cost millions.

Then there will be Paul Kerr, who holds the biggest hand in today's second-richest race and couldn't be more relaxed about it.

Because the way Kerr sees it, the $150,000 Sires' Stakes Final is easy to work out: his colt Pay Me Christian will go to the front and win.

That's it.

If you think that is overly cocky consider the fact Kerr also trains Alta Sirocco, who could even start second favourite in the group one race and be Pay Me Christian's biggest danger.

Kerr has always said there is nothing between Pay Me Christian, who was last season's most hyped juvenile, and newcomer Alta Sirocco. But today there is a big difference between them - their draws.

Pay Me Christian has drawn barrier four and has the gate speed to lead while Alta Sirocco will be starting directly behind him and won't be seeing the markers pegs for the rest of the race.

"With their draws the way they are Pay Me Christian has to be the one to beat," said Kerr.

"I really think there isn't much between them and there never is when I work them."

Pay Me Christian has the reputation and is developing the race record to deter any early challengers for the lead and if he gets to the front, it is hard to see him beaten.

The pacers drawn inside him are not good enough to come off his back and beat him and it is hard to envisage any of his rivals covering more ground and running past him.

He has developed into an imposing equine athlete whose biggest problem is his tendency to hang, which gets worse when he is forced to come wide in a race, which won't happen today.

"I expect him to be in front and we won't be handing that away. He can pace a 1:58 mile and sprint home in 55 seconds (for his last 800m) so we will be staying in front."

Kerr says he is thrilled with both colts going into today's 1950m event and says even if Pay Me Christian is attacked and goes under he thinks Alta Sirocco could be the chief benefactor. "He is a real trier and loves chasing other horses so I have a good second chance if things don't go to plan."

The most likely thorns in Kerr's side could be in the red, white and blue colours of Geoff Small. He has his usual strong big-race representation - three this time - and is open about his tactics.

"It looks like Pay Me Christian is going to lead and we have to get up handy before the last 800m," said Small. "You can't win these big races from back on the field so we will be heading forward and hoping we can outstay them.

"Both Awesome Armbro and Ambro The Thug are good stayers. I think they can win if the tempo of the race suits us."

Ambro The Thug looks the better bet of the pair, having already won the two-year-old Sires' Stakes last season and raced strongly since.

The enigma of the race is the enormously talented Tuherbs, who has yet to win this season after looking potentially the best of this crop in his early season trials.