Green Spaces, the lightly raced three-year-old, delivered his standout performance third-up last spring, and those close to him are plotting the identical route into the Rosehill Guineas.
This Godolphin-owned colt powered home by three lengths to win the Group 3 Spring Stakes (1600m) in Newcastle during November, prompting trainer Bjorn Baker to rest him for the upcoming Sydney autumn series.
“He was exceptional third-up last time in the Spring Stakes at Newcastle, so we’re following that same path, although he’s up to 2000 (metres),” Baker said.
“Everything we see suggests that will suit him.
“Having said that, it’s going to be a tough race, no doubt about it. But he’s actually deceivingly fast, so if he can get a nice run in transit and relax, I’m sure he is going to be strong late.”
Fresh off a spell, he was on the speed before battling to sixth in the Hobartville Stakes (1400m), then raced at the rear through the Randwick Guineas (1600m) en route to a late-closing sixth behind victor Sheza Alibi.
From Street Boss and Redoute’s Choice mare Outdoor, the colt mirrors the breeding of Godolphin’s 2022 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) star Anamoe, also out of a Redoute’s Choice daughter in Anamato.
Green Spaces occupies the next betting line for the ATC Australian Derby (2400m), and Rachel King’s commitment was evident as she journeyed home from Japan to ride him in February’s barrier trial.
That conviction from the jockey influences Baker positively.
“For sure it does. She believes in him. She always has,” he said.
“The way he has been galloping recently, it’s hard not to have a bit of confidence going into the Rosehill Guineas.”
Godolphin enters Ciaron Maher’s Observer too in the Saturday showdown, with the Victoria Derby conqueror perfect in two starts this campaign, starring in the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) four weeks ago.
Making his Rosehill debut in Sydney, Observer is $2.70 in behind Autumn Boy ($2.10 top pick), as Green Spaces trades at $12.
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