After another successful riding sojourn in Japan, Rachel King is firmly focused on the Sydney autumn carnival, especially her date with lightly raced three-year-old Green Spaces in the Randwick Guineas.
Such is King’s regard for the Bjorn Baker-trained gelding, she flew back from Japan just to partner him in a barrier trial before heading back to finish her overseas stint.
Her commitments in Asia prevented her from being home in time for his return in the Hobartville Stakes (1400m), but importantly, she is in the saddle for Saturday’s Group 1.
“I flew back from Japan halfway through my trip especially to trial him,” King said.
“I’ve got a lot of confidence in the horse. He’s very casual and he only does what he has to, but I think there is a lot more under the bonnet than what we’ve seen so far.”
A brilliant winner of the Spring Stakes (1600m) at Newcastle in November, Green Spaces was disappointing to the eye when a weakening sixth in the Hobartville.
However, King says he raced too fresh and with that out of his system, she expects him to relax much better in the run this weekend.
“He was a bit fresh and put himself too close, when he needed to be getting back and running on to show his best,” King said.
“He’s still an inexperienced young horse, so it won’t have done him any harm to get in amongst them and realise what this better racing is all about. Toughen him up a bit.
“He will naturally be more relaxed second-up and want to go to sleep that bit more.
“We will look for him to be doing his best work at the end.”
Longer-term, King believes Green Spaces has the right temperament for a Derby, but insists his next two runs will determine his ultimate autumn aim.
King rides the Gary Portelli-trained Encap in the day’s other major, the Canterbury Stakes (1600m), and says the Doncaster Mile placegetter can never be discounted despite being a $101 outsider.
“He’s one of those who is nearly forgotten most races, and he always bobs up in the finish,” she said.
“He’s a beautiful horse to ride. He has his own way of doing things and you’ve got to let him do his thing.
“But geez, he can rattle off some good sectionals late and hopefully fresh, he’s ready to go, which he looks like he is.”
King heads to Randwick in winning form after claiming a midweek double at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
