Trainer Matthew Smith is plotting a traditional lead-up campaign to the prestigious The Everest (1200m) for his star sprinter Headwall, following an eye-catching Autumn season.
The rising six-year-old proved himself among elite company, running competitive races in a trio of Group 1 sprints. He placed in both the Newmarket Handicap (1200m) and TJ Smith Stakes (1200m), and was just edged out in The Quokka (1200m).
While he didn’t post a win in those runs, Smith feels Headwall’s performances more than justify a shot at The Everest and is now tailoring a Spring program aimed at securing a slot.
“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.”
Headwall is expected to resume in the Group 3 Concorde Stakes (1000m) at Randwick on September 6th, which Smith sees as the ideal starting point.
“Randwick, 1000 metres is a perfect kick off point and then we can work it out from there,” Smith said.
“There are plenty of lead-ups into The Everest but that’s where we’ll start.”
Despite not winning during Autumn, Smith believes Headwall’s racecraft is maturing and a breakthrough Group 1 victory could be close.
“He’s been tricky in terms of he’s got two gears, stop and go,” Smith noted.
“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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