Melbourne Cup bound? Baker hopeful after Green Spaces’ Derby domination

Godolphin’s three-year-old colt Green Spaces delivered an impressive 3.19 length victory in the Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) on Saturday – a premier three-year-old staying test race.

The Bjorn Baker-trained colt showed amazing signs throughout the $2 million Group 1 that he could run out the lengthy two-mile journey of the prestigious Melbourne Cup.

In fact, directly after the win, Baker jokingly told 7HorseRacing, “What date is the Melbourne Cup?”

Speaking on RSN’s Correct Weight, the son of legendary trainer Murray Baker, explained why he believes the $10 million Cup would suit the son of Street Boss perfectly.

“We'll definitely look at the Cups in the spring. I think he could be an exceptional stayer,” Baker stated.

“I've got a bit of a feeling that he may get a little bit stronger as well, and I'm even confident he'll get further.

“Maybe a race like the Melbourne Cup (would suit him), you dream about it.

“He's definitely right up there… He’s sort of defied his pedigree (and) everything else suggests he'll stay all day.”

When the trainer was asked if he sees any similarities between Green Spaces and his father’s Caulfield Cup-winning horse Mongolian Khan, Baker believes the brown could potentially have a deadlier turn of foot than the retired stayer.

“I guess (the Melbourne Cup’s) the one race my old man never won. He only could come second in the Melbourne Cup, and in some ways, Mongolian Khan getting sick after he won the Caulfield Cup was probably his best opportunity,” Baker started.

“He was a tough on-speed stayer, and I think that at the two miles, they would have really struggled to catch him.

“I think this guy (Green Spaces) might have a bit more of a turn of speed than Mongolian Khan. This guy's better off switching off and then being able to come home late.

“I hope he ends up being as good as Mongolian Khan.”

With Green Spaces establishing himself as one of Australia’s most exciting staying prospects, could he become the first four-year-old since Vow And Declare in 2019 to win the Group 1 Melbourne Cup on the first Tuesday of November?

The brown is currently $26 to take out the Cup with many bookmakers.

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