Green Spaces takes control of ATC Australian Derby

Godolphin colt has Green Spaces turned spring promise into an autumn celebration in effortless Group One ATC Australian Derby victory at Randwick.

Prepared to the minute by trainer Bjorn Baker, Green Spaces (Street Boss) underlined his potential as a high-class stayer in the making with a 3-1/4 length victory in the 2,400 feature on the first day of The Championships.

The colt, a half-brother to Godolphin’s two-time G1-winning sprinter Trekking, was given a traditional Derby campaign and gave nothing else a chance when it mattered most, surging clear over the Randwick rise to put the race beyond doubt at the 200-metre mark.

It was an Australian Derby of firsts for Godolphin, Baker and jockey Rachel King.

The result also gave Godolphin a blue-riband double in 2025/26 after Observer (Ghaiyyath) claimed the Victoria Derby at Flemington.

While Observer was taking all before him in the spring, Green Spaces was still learning his craft in his first campaign for Baker.

But signs emerged he would be a horse to be reckoned with later in the season, with a G3 Spring Stakes win over 1,600 metres at Newcastle.

It was after that victory that Baker set his sights on joining his father Murray as a Derby-winning trainer.

Baker said winning it for Godolphin only added to the occasion.

“To win this with a good horse for Godolphin … it’s so special,” he said.

“I’m a racing purist. I’ve seen their colours all around the world and (I’m thankful) to be given an opportunity with a horse like this.”

King, who became the first female jockey to land the Derby, gave Green Spaces an immaculate ride, settling the colt in a midfield position.

She made her move before the home turn and Green Spaces put the issue beyond doubt soon after to drew clear, leaving Dezinagation to fill second with Storm Leopard (Ghaiyyath) taking the minor placing.

“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,” Baker said.

“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.

“Fitness always wins and when they are in the zone like this horse, they just eat it up.”

King said she identified Green Spaces as a Derby horse after Baker spelled the three-year-old in November and was determined to do whatever she could to keep an association.

“I made an effort this year to come back from Japan and trial him during my trip,” King said.

“I was just so adamant to stay on him, so thanks to Bjorn and the Godolphin team for sticking with me.

“I’ve had so 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.”

Baker is now likely to give Green Spaces a spring campaign aimed at winning the G1 Melbourne Cup.