Baker and King etch Australian Derby success with Green Spaces victory

Baker fulfilled a lifelong ambition with the Derby conquest, mirroring his dad, the celebrated Kiwi handler Murray Baker, responsible for five triumphs in the prestigious Randwick showpiece.

Among Australia's longest-standing major events, the Derby began in 1861 alongside the debut Melbourne Cup taken by Archer.

Baker disclosed plans to enter Green Spaces in the 2026 Melbourne Cup post the colt's striking success.

"Melbourne Cup - bring it on!" Baker said

King executed a masterclass ride, becoming the pioneer woman jockey to salute in the Derby – only 40 minutes on from Jamie Melham's victory on Sheza Alibi in the Doncaster Mile.

"This is just so satisfying,'' King said."I've had some much belief in this horse, the whole team has, they've done an amazing job and Bjorn has timed the colt's Derby preparation to perfection.

"He's a beautiful horse and I was very confident he would stay. He relaxed so well and did everything I asked.''

At $4.40, Green Spaces exhibited top-class endurance, surging to a more than three-length Derby win over Dezignation ($151), with Storm Leopard ($4.60) a long neck back in third place.

The $3 favourite Observer pushed on stoutly for fifth but struggled somewhat with the "shifty" going.

Yet it's tough to justify the efforts of those behind Green Spaces amid his overwhelming dominance.

Since crushing the Group 3 Spring Stakes at Newcastle's isolated meeting last November, Baker had earmarked the Derby for the colt.

"This is so special, what a great watch,'' Baker said."When they are in the zone like that, his trackwork has been in the zone, I was very confident, I couldn't have him any better going into today.

"Every time I looked at him in the box, his coat was great, he was in the zone, and his work on Tuesday was great."

Baker revealed consulting his father this week, given Murray's five Derby wins in 12 years via Quick Thinker (2020), Jon Snow (2017), Mongolian Khan (2015), It's A Dundeel (2013) and Nom Du Jeu (2008).

"I spoke to Murray a lot this week, I asked him what would you do with this horse,'' Baker said."He said don't leave him short son. Then when the rain came this morning, I was very confident he was fit enough."

Baker lavished praise on King following her Derby masterstroke.

"Rachel's done so much work for our stable and she delivers, she delivers on the big stage,'' Baker said."She rode him perfectly today, it was an exceptional ride.''

King praised Baker in return as a "massive supporter of mine"."I disappear for a month to ride in Japan but he's always there for me when I come back,'' King said."I made an effort this year to come back and trial this horse during my trip because I wanted to stay with the colt so thanks to Bjorn and the Godolphin team for sticking with me.''

The fourth separate Group 1 winner this term for Godolphin-Darley's elite sire Street Boss is Green Spaces, succeeding Tentyris, Tempted and Pericles.

Champion and ex-Horse of the Year Anamoe shares Street Boss as his sire.

Matthew Smith-trained Dezignation produced a gallant second, outfinishing others over the stern Derby 2400m apart from the exceptional Green Spaces.

"He has run out of his skin,'' said jockey Tyler Schiller, rider of Dezignation. "He stays all day.''

Tommy Berry on Storm Leopard felt victory was imminent after slipping inside Observer at the turn to lead."I thought it was an extraordinary effort off the back up,'' Berry said of Storm Leopard, who won the Tulloch Stakes last week."The winner was set for the race and won accordingly but Storm Leopard has a bright future in the staying ranks.''

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