Rachel King admits she isn’t sure where the ceiling lays for Godolphin three-year-old Green Spaces after his barnstorming win in the Group Three Spring Stakes at Newcastle.
Having just his sixth start, the colt was sent out a $4 chance and unleashed a blistering turn of foot over the final stages to put three lengths on Bird Whistle ($51) with Long Legs ($6) sticking on well to hold third.
Trained by Bjorn Baker, who has also produced Pericles to win the Tramway Stakes and finish second in the Group 1 Champions Mile for Godolphin this spring, Green Spaces is set to be spelled ahead of an autumn carnival bid, and King is excited about his future.
“He’s a lovely horse. He’s got that great, natural ability, he’s got a fantastic attitude, and he’s still learning,” King said.
“He hit the front and still had a wander today. I felt like, if something had come to him, he had plenty more there. I like a lot about him.
“He is becoming more professional every time he steps out so if he keeps going on the upwards trajectory that he is, I don’t know where he will end up.”
Green Spaces began his career with James Cummings, winning at Geelong in April before transferring to Baker at the start of the season when Godolphin moved to a public training model.
He has now posted back-to-back wins at Wyong and in Saturday’s Spring Stakes (1600m) and Baker’s racing manager, Luke Hilton, says the last-start victory infused the horse with confidence.
“He struts out at home like he owns the joint,” Hilton said.
“I think he’s going to get a trip and I think there are better things for him in the autumn.”
Hilton confirmed Green Spaces would be given a break and prepared for some of the three-year-old features during the Sydney autumn carnival.
