Steve O'Dea wants a fast tempo for Sir Moments in Saturday's Group One JJ Atkins and believes front-running Sydney youngster Romantic Touch can provide it.

Romantic Touch is a dominant favourite for the Atkins following two impressive wins in midweek company in Sydney where he led and reeled off impressive sectional times.

O'Dea is hoping the gelding will pour on the pressure from the outset in Saturday's Group One race for two-year-olds, a scenario he believes will advantage Sir Moments.

"If Romantic Touch rolls along like he has been in Sydney I'll be happy because it sets the race up nicely for us," O'Dea said.

"I'd be concerned if Nash got to the front and there was nothing to keep the pressure on him.

Sir Moments won the Darello Stakes at Doomben and last Saturday's The Phoenix at Eagle Farm despite a slow pace in the early and middle stages.

"Not everything has gone his way but he was still good enough to win those races even though they weren't run to suit him," O'Dea said.

"Obviously it's a step up in class on Saturday but I couldn't be happier with the way he's going."

O'Dea said the seven-day back-up from The Phoenix to the Atkins won't be a problem for Sir Moments.

"He's come through all his races in good shape and last week was no different," he said.

Sir Moments is attempting 1600 metres for the first time in the Atkins but O'Dea believes he is looking for the extra distance.

"He's out of a Zabeel mare and I've always felt he'll be better suited in the mile than the shorter races and he relishes racing at Eagle Farm," he said.

Romantic Touch's trainer Gai Waterhouse is seeking her first win in the Atkins which was formerly known as the TJ Smith, named in honour of her famous father.

The son of Northern Meteor will carry the same colours as Kabayan who ran second to Sizzling in last year's TJ Smith when trained by Waterhouse before his sale to Hong Kong.