Two starts back in a graduation handicap (1800m) Alaskan finished ahead of just one runner, but on a day that heavily favoured on pace runners, the back markers were up against it.
Last fortnight in the J.C.Roberts Stakes (1800m) Alaskan finished a length second to Lord Vampi which earned high from Parnham after he endured a difficult run.
Trapped wide for the majority of the race, Alaskan would have been entitled to fade back in the field, but the Playing God three-year-old kept plugging away and never shirked the issue.
Parnham says if Alaskan can find that elusive luck and get a better go of it on Friday in the Listed Melvista Stakes (2200m), he’s a top winning chance.
“He didn’t have it easy,” Parnham said in relation to the Roberts run.
“He got left out there in the cheap seats and that could happen on Friday, he’s drawn pretty awkward.
“He’s up against similar horses like Lord Vampi who got a cheaper run than what he got.
“I thought he was pretty good up against a horse like that after doing all that work.
“It didn’t flatten him at all, if anything I would have said he’s getting better.
“He’s just thriving the horse and has come good in the coat.
“He looks like he’s going better and better and I’m looking forward to the challenge.
“He goes to the Melvista and then the Derby and hopefully he can hold the form that he’s in at the moment.”
Alaskan will be ridden by Chris Parnham and in a field of 14 Melvista Stakes acceptors he’s drawn barrier eight.
Not much separated Lord Vampi and Alaskan in the J.C.Roberts Stakes and not much splits the pair in Melvista Stakes betting.
Alaskan holds $4.60 favouritism and Lord Vampi is next at $4.80.
In the WA Derby on April 13 Lord Vampi is $4 and Alaskan $7.50
Zipaway, a stable mate of Alaskan, is the current $3.50 favourite.
Zipaway holds market lead after his top third in last Saturday’s Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) at Moonee Valley.
“He was terrific and pulled up really well, hardly blew out a candle,” Parnham said.
“He looked like he was struggling a little bit and then got going again.
“I was pleased with him and at this stage I’m looking at the WA Derby, yes.
“He’s in a good space at the moment and hopefully we can keep him going.”
Meanwhile Onemoretwomany and Snowdome are in the paddock, their campaigns over after flat runs on Saturday.
