Conceived last year, the campaign culminates as Godolphin’s three-year-old colt Green Spaces enters the ATC Australian Derby at Randwick.
Team members selected the classic post his resounding Spring Stakes (1600m) triumph at Newcastle in November, and he has progressed steadily through autumn races.
Strong to the wire in the Randwick Guineas (1600m) two back, the colt caught attention with a powerful finish into second to Autumn Boy, a Doncaster Mile hopeful, in the Rosehill Guineas (2000m).
Saturday’s 2400m Derby is untested distance, but handler Bjorn Baker notes Green Spaces’ knack for relaxing in transit suggests endurance potential, irrespective of lineage.
Out of a Redoute’s Choice mare by Street Boss, his breeding echoes Anamoe’s, who shone midway but skipped Derby trips, and the stallion has progeny like premier short-course runner Tempted and Saturday’s TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) prospect 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.”
Baker tasted Victoria Derby success via Lion Tamer yet awaits Sydney Derby honors.
With lineage to Murray, the Kiwi master who saluted five times in the event, it resonates personally and fuels his desire for victory.
“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.”
The colt pulls gate six of 13 in the classic, with loyal jockey Rachel King aboard once more.
Baker and King share Sydney long-distance triumphs, such as last year’s Sydney Cup (3200m) on Arapaho.
Sports betting options for the Australian Derby can be found at reliable betting sites.