Following a productive stint riding in Japan, Rachel King is now concentrating on the Sydney autumn carnival, particularly her ride on the lightly raced three-year-old gelding Green Spaces in the Randwick Guineas.
King holds the Bjorn Baker-prepared gelding in such high esteem that she returned from Japan midway through her trip solely to ride him in a barrier trial prior to resuming her overseas engagements.
Her obligations in Asia meant she couldn’t return for his comeback in the Hobartville Stakes (1400m), but crucially, she will be aboard for Saturday’s Group 1 contest.
“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 standout victor in the Spring Stakes (1600m) at Newcastle back in November, Green Spaces appeared lacklustre when fading to sixth in the Hobartville.
Nevertheless, King explains he was overly fresh and positioned too prominently, and with that behind him, she anticipates a more settled effort this Saturday.
“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.”
Looking further ahead, King feels Green Spaces possesses the ideal mindset for a Derby campaign, though she stresses his upcoming pair of starts will shape his main autumn target.
King also partners the Gary Portelli-trained Encap in the feature Canterbury Stakes (1600m), noting the Doncaster Mile placings horse remains a threat at $101 odds.
“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 arrives at Randwick with recent success, having notched a midweek treble at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
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