Green Spaces earns Rachel King's trust for Randwick Guineas tilt

Returning from a triumphant riding spell in Japan, Rachel King has her eyes set on the Sydney autumn series, with a key engagement aboard the inexperienced three-year-old gelding Green Spaces in the Randwick Guineas.

The esteem in which King views the Bjorn Baker stable's charge prompted her to jet in from Japan mid-tour just to join him in a trial, before departing again for her Asian duties.

Asian racing duties kept her away from his seasonal reappearance in the Hobartville Stakes (1400m), yet she is set to take the mount in Saturday's elite Group 1.

"I flew back from Japan halfway through my trip especially to trial him," King said.

"I've got a lot of confidence in the horse. He's very casual and he only does what he has to, but I think there is a lot more under the bonnet than what we've seen so far."

Green Spaces dominated the Spring Stakes (1600m) at Newcastle in November, but visually underwhelmed with a drifting sixth placing in the Hobartville.

King attributes that to freshness, suggesting without it, he should settle more effectively over the weekend.

"He was a bit fresh and put himself too close, when he needed to be getting back and running on to show his best," King said.

"He's still an inexperienced young horse, so it won't have done him any harm to get in amongst them and realise what this better racing is all about. Toughen him up a bit.

"He will naturally be more relaxed second-up and want to go to sleep that bit more.

"We will look for him to be doing his best work at the end."

In the bigger picture, King sees Derby potential in Green Spaces' attitude, but his immediate future outings will dictate his autumn path.

Additionally, she steers Gary Portelli's Encap in the Canterbury Stakes (1600m), insisting the $101 shot and former Doncaster Mile runner-up can't be overlooked.

"He's one of those who is nearly forgotten most races, and he always bobs up in the finish," she said.

"He's a beautiful horse to ride. He has his own way of doing things and you've got to let him do his thing.

"But geez, he can rattle off some good sectionals late and hopefully fresh, he's ready to go, which he looks like he is."

King enters Randwick on a high, securing a double at Warwick Farm midweek on Wednesday.

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