Headwall chasing slot in 2025 The Everest
Headwall is on track for a possible berth in the upcoming The Everest (1200m), with trainer Matthew Smith opting for a conventional spring lead-up.
The gelding emerged as a surprise contender last preparation, placing in the Newmarket Handicap and TJ Smith Stakes, then running second in The Quokka.
Despite not winning during the Autumn, Smith has been buoyed by the level of form and believes Headwall has earned his chance at the $20 million race.
“He’s fantastic,” Smith told RSN Radio.
“He had a nice little break and he looks outstanding. He’s just getting better and better every season.
“I think it’s credit to the owners really to be so patient with him and not rushing him early on.
“I can’t fault the way he looks compared to the last prep. He looks just as good and I’m looking forward to this preparation for sure.
“We’d really like to get a start in the Everest. That’s where we want to be. So it’ll be geared up around getting into that race.”
The plan is for Headwall to return in the Group 3 Concorde Stakes (1000m) at Randwick, giving him a sharp hit-out before longer targets.
“Randwick, 1000 metres is a perfect kick off point and then we can work it out from there,” said Smith.
“There are plenty of lead-ups into The Everest but that’s where we’ll start.”
Smith thinks Headwall is finally maturing mentally, which could turn near misses into major wins.
“He’s been tricky in terms of he’s got two gears, stop and go,” he explained.
“He’s always been that way and he is getting better, but jockeys do have to be careful because when you ask him to go improve, he kind of just wants to do it all at once a little bit.
“That’s been probably the issue with him holding a spot.
“A little bit of luck in any of those races, we might have knocked over one of those group ones.
“I just think he’s getting better and better and he’s starting to mature mentally.
“This preparation, we could see a better sprinter than last prep.”
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