G3 Spring Stakes possible springboard for Green Spaces

Untapped colt Green Spaces became Godolphin Australia’s eighth three-year-old Black Type winner of the season when he dominated his rivals in the G3 Spring Stakes at Newcastle on Saturday, 15 November.

Having his third start since transferring to the Bjorn Baker stable at Warwick Farm, the Street Boss colt signalled even better performances ahead when he raced clear to beat Bird Whistle by three lengths, with Long Legs a long neck away in third place.

Jockey Rachel King rode quietly early before Green Spaces peeled out and sprinted down the centre of the home straight, confirming Baker’s assistant trainer Luke Hilton’s view that the colt could be a G1 ATC Derby 2,400m contender next autumn.

“He’s exciting, and the best part about him is he’s just got better and better,” Hilton told Racing NSW.
“We thought he was going well into Hawkesbury and then he came out of Hawkesbury and improved into Wyong.

“At Wyong he ran through the line, and it was probably past the post that was his best piece of the race.
“He had plenty of confidence, but since Wyong he’s been strutting around at home like he owns the joint, so we were really confident he was going to run well today.

“It was good to see, and he’s an exciting horse.
“I think he’s going to get a trip, and there are better things for him in the autumn.”

Godolphin’s Racing and Bloodstock Manager Jason Walsh told Racenet that the stable was enjoying early success with its three-year-old crop.

“We put a lot of effort into deciding where the horses would be best placed with trainers, and they've done a great job of placing them in races they can win,” Walsh said.
“We've had a great spring for that reason, particularly with our three-year-old group - it's a very good crop.

“I’d have to put some work in to say if it's the best, but with a horse like Green Spaces, I'm sure the best is still ahead of him.
“Physically he still has maturing to do, but he's the eighth Stakes winner for the crop this season, which is an extremely pleasing result.

“It's an exciting time, and we've got a nice group of horses to take us forward.”

King said Green Spaces, a half-brother to dual G1 winner Trekking, had huge potential and was just starting to hit his straps.

“He's a pretty good horse, I reckon,” she said.
“I had a bit to do with him as a two-year-old and remember one day I rode him and he got a bump around the corner, and he nearly fell over.

“But he's just kept getting better and better, and that was exciting today.
“When he let go, he really did it with a whoosh.

“He's still going too fast for his body, and he was drifting in toward the rail in the straight, but I loved the way he dropped them late.
“He's starting to really put it together now, and it's very exciting to think what the future holds for him.”

Baker later indicated the spelling paddock was next for Green Spaces, who had bigger targets in 2026.

“He's a horse that's done nothing but improve, and I think there's still plenty more to come as he continues to mature,” the trainer said.
“He's an exciting horse going forward because he's still raw with lots to learn.

“I can't wait to see what he develops into in the New Year.
“There's only upside with him, and there's so much.

“It's horses like this that make you love what you do, and it makes you want to get out of bed in the morning.”

Green Spaces was the Baker stable’s second Black Type victory for Godolphin, following Pericles’ win in the G2 Tramway Stakes 1,400m at Randwick prior to the horse’s narrow second in the G1 Champions Mile at Flemington last week.