Matthew Smith will follow a traditional path to the Group 1 The Everest (1200m) with talented sprinter Headwall.
A surprise packet during the Autumn, the rising six-year-old contested a trio of Group One sprints, placing in both the Newmarket Handicap (1200m) and TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) before a narrow second in The Quokka (1200m).
Whilst winless over the Autumn, Smith believes Headwall’s form around the top sprinters in the country warrants a slot in The Everest, with a Spring preparation geared around gaining one.
“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 Group 3 Concorde Stakes (1000m) on September 6th has been flagged for Headwall’s return.
“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.”
Arguably unlucky not to win a race during the Autumn, Smith hopes the quirky Headwall can continue to improve on his racing manners and land a big prize.
“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.”
