Working home very well into second last start in the G1 ATC Rosehill Guineas (2000m) behind Autumn Boy, Bjorn Baker’s Street Boss (USA) colt Green Spaces was a class above his rivals on Saturday, showing superior ability to win the $2m G1 ATC Australian Derby (2400m) by three plus lengths.
Having not won since the G3 NJC Spring Stakes (1600m) at Newcastle last campaign, the Godolphin bred and raced colt has followed the traditional path to the Derby with runs in both the Randwick and Rosehill Guineas and come Saturday was sent out the second favourite behind fellow Godolphin owned colt Observer, a winner of the G1 VRC Derby (2500m) last campaign.
When the gates crashed open at the 2400m start, jockey James McDonald allowed Observer to go forward and cross the field where he took up the running with last Saturday’s G2 ATC Tulloch Stakes (2000m) winner Storm Leopard settling in third on the rail tracking the leader.
Getting a good run back in sixth position on the outside, Rachel King was ensuring she stayed out of trouble aboard Green Spaces who looked very relaxed in the run.
As the home turn was reached, Tommy Berry came up along the inside of Observer with the pair cornering in front, while King was one of the widest on Green Spaces as Matthew Smith’s 150/1 outsider Dezignation (So You Think), the full brother to G1 Nimalee was showing a bit of cheek and making a run.
With Storm Leopard going a length clear, Green Spaces chased him down before pulling clear to win three and a quarter-lengths from Dezignation who edged out Storm Leopard to take second.
Bjorn Baker was his typical effusive self after the stunning victory.
“So special, what a great watch, 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,” said Baker.
“Every time I looked at him in the box, his coat was great, he is in the zone, his work on Tuesday was great.”
Having last been involved with a Derby winner when his father’s colt Dundeel took the prize, he spoke to his Dad for advice.
“I spoke to Murray a lot this week, I asked him what would you do, he said don’t leave him short son, the rain came this morning, and I was very confident he was fit enough.”
“Wasn’t necessarily the greatest thing winning the first race of the day as I thought I might over-race going towards the Derby, but I was able to relax pretty well and throughout the run it was a great watch.”
“She’s done so much work for our stable and she delivers, she delivers on the big stage, she rode him perfectly today, it was an exceptional ride. Melbourne Cup - bring it on!”
Having ridden three stakes winners on the day, the G1 victory was clearly a highlight for King.
“Just satisfying, I’ve had some much belief in this horse, the whole team has, they’ve done an amazing job and Bjorn has just timed it to perfection. Set him perfectly.”
“He’s a beautiful horse and it set up perfectly for him today, I was very confident it would, he just relaxed so well, did everything I asked, a very satisfying win.”
“Massive supporter of mine (Bjorn), especially when I disappear for a month to ride in Japan, but he’s always there for me when I come back, I made an effort this year to come back and trial him during my trip.
"I was just so adamant to stay on him, so thanks to Bjorn and the Godolphin team for sticking with me.”
Bred by Godolphin, Green Spaces took his overall record to four wins and a second from 10 starts, with earnings of $1,648,700.
One of six winners and two at G1 level, from six to the races out of the well-bred Redoute’s Choice mare Outdoor, Green Spaces is a three-quarter-brother to the G1 BRC Stradbroke Handicap and G1 SAJC Goodwood Handicap winner Trekking (Street Cry).
With the granddam of Green Spaces being G1 VRC Oaks and G1 AJC Oaks winner Serenade Rose, it‘s of no surprise to see Green Spaces become the first stakes winner for Street Boss at 2400m.
Outdoor unfortunately missed to Palace Pier (GB) the year after foaling Green Spaces, before producing a colt by Pinatubo (IRE) followed by foaling a colt in the spring by Harry Angel (IRE).
Outdoor was covered last season by the dual G2-winning, multiple G1 palced Traffic Warden (Street Boss) in his first season at stud, with the resulatnt foal being a three-quarter to Green Spaces.
Green Spaces is one of 88 individual stakes winner for Street Boss, highlighted by 14 G1 winners including this season’s elite level winners Tentyris, Tempted and Green Spaces’ stablemate Pericles.
