Alta Christiano, who won his other start at Winton in 1.56.8 for the mile, recorded 1.57.6 in slushy conditions on Saturday after leading for most of the way.
Kerr won the race with Karmic Reward in 1994 and Pay Me Christian (2005). He was training at Waikouaiti in 1994. He is now based at Ohoka. Alta Christiano is by Christian Cullen, the sire of Pay Me Christian.
Kerr bought Alta Christiano for $50,000 at the 2011 Australasian Classic sale when he was offered by Alta Breeding Ltd, operated by Tony Dickinson at Waiau Pa. Kerr liked the breed as he had trained Alta Camilla, a half-sister to Alta Christiano, to win three races.
Dickinson retained a 20% share in the colt and he was joined in the ownership by Keith and Jenny Ovens, of Christchurch, John and Belinda Symon, of Christchurch and Ray Fleetwood, of Wellington.
Mr Ovens has been racing horses with Kerr for 25 years.
Alta Christiano is the first horse raced by the Symons.
Alta Christiano has been driven in his two wins by Mitchell Kerr, son of the trainer. Mitchell has returned home after 18 months at the Ardmore stable of Gareth Dixon.
Alta Christiano has his next start in a heat of the Sires' Stakes at Forbury Park on March 8.
Trainer Hamish Hunter is considering the Dunedin Championship on April 5 or Easter Cup two nights later as the next start for Franco Ledger, decisive winner of the Wyndham Cup.
The Dunedin Championship is for four and 5yr-old pacers.
The Southern Country Cups Final at Invercargill on April 22 is also available for Franco Ledger.
