The exciting three-year-old staying prospect has taken all before him this campaign and cemented favouritism in Saturday’s week’s WA Derby (2400m) with a breakthrough win in black-type company on Saturday.
Since a debut seventh at Northam last October, the son of Playing God has reeled off four straight victories and after bypassing traditional lead up races to the Derby, he passed his biggest test with flying colours in the Listed Melvista Stakes (2200m).
After going for $90,000 at the Perth Magic Millions Yearling sale in 2020, Alaskan Gold has pocketed close to $200,000 in prizemoney and bonuses following his four wins from five career outings.
Morton thinks he may have unearthed a dream stayer and nothing he has done this time in has altered his opinion, but soon after the sales he did admit pangs of regret and was second guessing his decision.
“I loved him as a type, but it was funny when I bought him the Playing God’s were selling very good and Neville (Parnham) seemed to be buying anything that was really likeable,” Dan Morton told The Races WA.
“I didn’t think I would get him, but when I was bidding and Neville wasn’t I was starting to get a bit nervous.
“I actually spoke to Neville at the track after the sales and said what have I missed here?
“I told him I bought Alaskan God and I loved him, but thought he would be on it.
“He said he loved it too but they had their heart set on one a few lots later.
“That made me feel a whole lot better because for a while I thought I might have missed something.”
Morton says Alaskan God takes the best form heading into the WA Derby, a race he is looking to win for the first time.
He says the further Alaskan God goes, the better he will be.
“He’s a young, raw horse, who hasn’t had a lot of starts,” Morton said.
“He couldn’t have been anymore impressive in what he’s done.
“This whole prep has been tailored to the Derby and I was happy to take the back door approach knowing he was inexperienced.
“He’s a nice looking stayer and he will stay properly.
“He’s a massive aerobic beast.
“He’s come through the race (Melvista) in good order and in my mind he is the horse to beat.”
Alaskan God is the $2.60 favourite with Tabtouch for the WA Derby.
Melvista Stakes runner up, Trix Of The Trade is next at $3.80.
Alaskan God’s sire Playing God was a star for Parnham and a dual Group 1 winner of the Kingston Town Classic (1800m).
