Alaskan God has scraped into Saturday’s field for the Railway Stakes (1600m) to give trainer Dan Morton two runners in the $1.5 million Group 1 event.
With his rating of 92, Alaskan God was right on the borderline of squeezing into the Railway with the final 20 horse field announced today (Tuesday).
Direct entry into the Railway was on offer last Saturday if Alaskan God won the R.J.Peters Stakes (1500m), but Dan Morton opted to take a risk and bypass the Group 3 race.
Morton stuck to his plan of giving Alaskan God the one run and keeping the gun four-year-old fresh after resuming in the Asian Beau Stakes (1400m) on October 29.
Morton is pleased Alaskan God has snuck into the Railway, but said it wouldn’t have been a disaster if his plan had come unstuck.
“All the way along I just had the mindset if I get in, I get in, if I don’t, I don’t.” Morton told The Races WA.
“I was never going to change my plan and burn the horse to try and get in.
“I think I can win the race, but I wasn’t going to be dirty if I missed out, because I’d made my plan.”
Alaskan God displayed star qualities as a three-year-old last season by winning five consecutive races, highlighted by the WA Derby (2400m) in April.
The Playing God gelding resumed first-up without a trial in the Asian Beau Stakes and Morton said he pulled up in fine fettle after finishing a strong sixth to Railway Stakes rival, Treasured Star.
“He’s very good,” Morton said.”
“He’s bounced out of that last run really well.
“He’s going very good.”
Stable mate Startrade is the understudy to Alaskan God in the Railway, but Morton says the six-year-old is at his peak and will more than hold his own in top company.
The son of Trade Fair has maintained consistent form since arriving from Geraldton and last-start came close to knocking off Treasured Star in the Asian Beau.
“Again, he bounced out of that last start run in great order,” Morton said.
“He was super going in and is a very happy and fit horse.
“I think he is very capable.”
Alaskan God will be ridden by Chris Parnham and is the $4.20 favourite with Tabtouch.
Chris Nicoll maintains the ride on Startrade, currently quoted a $26 chance.
The Railway Stakes field includes interstate raiders, Yonkers, Ironclad and Winning Partner.
Yonkers, for elite trainer Chris Waller, will be ridden by Paul Harvey.
Lachlan Neindorf partners the Will Clarken-trained Ironclad.
Winning Partner for Tony and Calvin McEvoy is the first emergency.
Barend Vorster has been booked to ride the seven-year-old.
Alaskan God and Startrade are on the 53kg minimum in the Railway.
Resortman carries the 57kg topweight.
The barrier draw will be conducted tomorrow afternoon.