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By Ray Hickson

If the Bjorn Baker stable’s estimation of what emerging Godolphin galloper Green Spaces could produce at Newcastle on Saturday is correct he might stamp himself as a horse to follow in 2026.

Luke Hilton (Pic: Bradley Photos).

The colt is closely related to former top Godolphin sprinter Trekking, their dam Outdoor is a daughter of a dual Oaks winner, but unlike that horse he’s showing signs he’s a staying type in the making.

Baker’s racing manage Luke Hilton said the Group 3 $250,000 NZB Spring Stakes (1600m) is a good test for Green Spaces who posted his first win for the stable at Wyong two weeks ago.

“It’s a little bit of a grand final for him, he’s the fresh horse on the scene and is improving all the time at home,’’ Hilton said.

“This will probably pull him up and we’re thinking there might be some nice races in the autumn.”

There were only three rivals facing Green Spaces in his win over the mile at Wyong but Hilton said there was more than meets the eye when it came to what the win told the stable.

He said the son of Street Boss, $5 with TAB on Thursday, clearly appreciated stepping up in trip and showed no signs of stopping at the post and while the Spring Stakes is a class hike the three-year-old has some substance.

“He’s a nice progressive horse, just getting out in trip has been the key to him,’’ he said.

“He was fantastic first-up at Hawkesbury and then he backed it up with a good performance at Wyong.

“It was a small field and down in grade but he was very impressive.

“Probably most impressive was what he did through the line, he really put a hole in them past the winning post and gave every indication he’s a promising stayer.”

Baker’s duo Iowna Merc and Robusto could go their separate ways and Hilton said the barrier draw for the Group 2 $1m Newcastle Herald Hunter (1300m) has affected their fortunes.

In Iowna Merc’s case quite negatively, with a trip to Perth now in consideration, while last year’s Ingham winner Robusto’s chances have soared.

Hilton said he can be forgiving of Iowna Merc’s failure in the Russell Balding Stakes, given it was a wet track and he was so brave in the Sydney Stakes but the gate has hurt his cause.

“He’s never been great on heavy surfaces so we give him a reprieve for that. A sticky draw makes it tough for him but he’s not out of it,’’ he said.

“Gates are a bit crucial to him as he enjoys being in the first half.

“He’s top of the ratings, top of the weights, there’s nowhere to hide with him unfortunately so he does need every favour he can get.”

Robusto returns from a freshen up having not raced since successive weight-for-age assignments in the Winx and Chelmsford Stakes.

Hilton said his first-up stats are a little misleading and when he came up with gate three in The Hunter he can only expect the gelding to make a positive start to his Ingham defence.

“I thought his trial was fantastic a couple of weeks ago and he’s had some good gallops since,’’ he said.

“He’s definitely going to benefit from the run but the gate is crucial for him.

Green Spaces wins at Wyong on October 30

“He loves a little soft run just behind the speed and he’s going to get that so the gate will give him a chance.”

Luke Hilton on Yankee One (race 4): “She was okay first-up, better second up and she takes racing to get fit. She’s robust mare and third-up 1400m is an ideal scenario for her with a good gate.”

On Hollywood Hero (race 6): “He went very close and was just beaten by a good horse on the day (in the Little Dance). This is the first time we’ve stretched him out in distance this time in. It’s a good time to try it now, it’s early in his prep and he’s going well.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s meeting at Newcastle