It’s not often a horse chases back-to-back wins in the same race in successive starts, but that’s the position Headwall finds himself in as he prepares to resume in the Concorde Stakes at Randwick.
A brilliant winner of the $1 million sprint 12 months ago, the gelding subsequently suffered a leg injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the season.
It has been a slow and steady lead-in to his return on Saturday, and his in-form trainer Matthew Smith admits he’s chomping at the bit to get the horse back racing.
“It has been a long build up. Every time you gallop him you’re holding your breath,” Smith said.
“I just can’t wait to get him to the races on Saturday.
“He’s a horse who could win a Group One this ‘prep’. He’s ready to go so we’ll see what happens on Saturday and he’ll improve into the preparation.”
Headwall has a dynamic record fresh with three wins and two placings from six first-up runs, although Smith is cautious given the amount of time the seven-year-old has had off.
He’s also mindful the 1000m of the Concorde Stakes doesn’t leave much room for bad luck or error, albeit he couldn’t be happier with Headwall’s condition leading into the race.
“I think he is going as well as last year. That’s where I feel he’s at,” Smith said.
“But he’s had a year off, you’ve got to remember.
“The only thing is with these 1000 metre races, it’s a scramble and you’ve got to be lucky. He’s drawn a good barrier and I’m sure they’ll go at a good gallop. We’ll see where we’re up to anyway. Hopefully there will be a flashing light on him going to the line.”
Smith will also saddle up Way To The Stars in the race after abandoning plans to take him to Melbourne due to a poor weather forecast.
“They’re talking about a lot of rain on Saturday, and we just couldn’t take the chance,” he said.
“We’re staying here and we’re being realistic about it.”
Class mare Idle Flyer will represent the stable in the Tramway Stakes (1400m) after a game first-up effort behind some of the best horses in the country when sixth to Autumn Glow in the Winx Stakes (1400m).
Smith is warming to targeting her at the Epsom Handicap (1600m) in October, and while he regards a mile as her pet distance, Idle Flyer is unbeaten in four second-up appearances.
“Well, look out Saturday,” Smith quipped.
“She was really good first-up and she has come on.
“She’s potentially going to go to the Epsom now. It will be either the Seven (Stakes) or the Epsom. Once she goes to the mile, she’s at her best so this is another stepping stone in that direction.”
Smith has had a flying start to the season with seven city winners to sit third behind only heavyweights Chris Waller and Ciaron Maher on the Sydney trainers’ premiership.
