The Derby win allowed Baker to accomplish a key career target, emulating his father, famed New Zealand preparer Murray Baker with five victories in the storied Randwick feature.
This Derby ranks among the country’s most enduring premier races, first held in 1861 coinciding with Archer’s initial Melbourne Cup triumph.
After the colt’s dominant display, Baker affirmed intentions to target the 2026 Melbourne Cup with Green Spaces.
“Melbourne Cup – bring it on!” Baker said
King delivered a tactically superb steer to become the first woman jockey to win the Derby, just 40 minutes after Jamie Melham prevailed 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.”
Green Spaces, at $4.40, proved his class with superior staying power, bolting in by more than three lengths from Dezignation ($151) and Storm Leopard ($4.60) a long neck away in third.
Favourite Observer ($3) fought back to fifth but was not fully at ease on the “shifty” track.
Those beaten by Green Spaces have few alibis, such was his total command.
Baker had long planned the Derby for Green Spaces after the colt’s easy win in the Group 3 Spring Stakes at Newcastle’s lone meeting last November.
“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.”
With Murray’s five Derby successes in 12 years – Quick Thinker (2020), Jon Snow (2017), Mongolian Khan (2015), It’s A Dundeel (2013), Nom Du Jeu (2008) – Baker tapped his father for tips this week.
“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 highlighted King’s ride as exceptional in the Derby.
“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 hailed Baker 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.”
Godolphin-Darley’s Street Boss notches a fourth unique Group 1 winner this season via Green Spaces, after Tentyris, Tempted and Pericles.
Anamoe, the champion former Horse of the Year, is also by Street Boss.
Dezignation, prepared by Matthew Smith, ran a huge second, grinding home best over the tough 2400m Derby distance bar the superb Green Spaces.
“He has run out of his skin,” said jockey Tyler Schiller, rider of Dezignation. “He stays all day.”
Storm Leopard’s rider Tommy Berry sensed a win after passing Observer inside on the corner 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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