Godolphin’s Green Spaces on track for Australian Derby date
The blueprint formed at year's end bears fruit when Godolphin colt Green Spaces contests the ATC Australian Derby at Randwick.
His connections pinpointed the feature race following his emphatic success in the Spring Stakes (1600m) at Newcastle during November, and the three-year-old has advanced solidly this autumn in preparation.
Finishing with power in the Randwick Guineas (1600m) on his penultimate start, Green Spaces once more highlighted his closing ability with a late charge into second behind Doncaster Mile aspirant Autumn Boy in the Rosehill Guineas (2000m).
The Derby's 2400m represents new ground, yet trainer Bjorn Baker points to the colt's racing temperament and capacity to switch off as signs of staying power, despite breeding concerns.
Sired by Street Boss from a mare by Redoute's Choice, he shares ancestry lines with Anamoe, a star at shorter trips who avoided Derby distances, while the sire also threw sprinter Tempted and this weekend's TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) runner Tentyris.
"His pedigree may not suggest he'll get the trip, but everything we see in terms of his type and how he can relax so well, that's going to hold him in good stead," Baker said.
"His run the other day was really good, especially considering they didn't go as quick up front as I thought. He lost a bit of momentum on the corner, so to get out and run second was fantastic.
"He's come through the tough races. As we assumed, he wasn't super competitive at 14 (1400m) and a mile, even though we were very happy with him.
"But once up to 2000, he's starting to come into his own and hopefully that trend continues up to 2400."
The trainer enjoyed Victoria Derby spoils with Lion Tamer but lacks a Sydney Derby conquest.
Son of iconic Kiwi conditioner Murray, a five-time victor of the classic, Baker cherishes the race and yearns to add it to his resume.
"It has been a very special race for my father and the family so it will be very special to have a live chance," Baker said.
"You dream about winning it."
Drawing post six in a field of 13 for the showpiece, Green Spaces retains regular pilot Rachel King.
The Baker-King combination boasts Sydney staying wins, including last season's Sydney Cup (3200m) with Arapaho.
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