Talented sprinter Headwall is on the verge of ending a lengthy injury layoff, with trainer Matthew Smith weighing up a return in Saturday’s Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield.
While the gelding has been nominated for the feature sprint, Smith is yet to confirm whether he will line up, with alternative options including the July Sprint (1100m) at Rosehill on July 18 or a freshen-up ahead of the Sydney Spring Carnival.
The Warwick Farm trainer said Headwall’s track gallop on Tuesday morning would play a key role in determining the next step.
“I will have a chat with the horse’s owners and work out what we want to do,” Smith told Racing And Sports.
“We also have the July Sprint at Rosehill next week to consider, but I can tell you the horse is going great.”
Headwall has not raced since winning the Group 3 Concorde Stakes last spring, with a pastern injury sidelining him at the height of his career.
However, the rising seven-year-old has impressed in two recent barrier trials, suggesting he is nearing a return to his best.
The Sir John Monash Stakes has attracted 19 nominations for a maximum field of 16, with Headwall clearly the highest-rated entrant on a mark of 112.
Bellatrix Star is the next highest-rated runner on 106, while Miraval Rose sits on 102. Both mares are also resuming after lengthy breaks, having not raced since November.
Before injury struck, Headwall was firmly in contention for a slot in last year’s The Everest, and Smith believes the gelding can again force his way into calculations for the world’s richest turf race.
If he bypasses racing this month, the trainer confirmed the Group 3 Concorde Stakes (1000m) at Randwick in early September will once again become his first-up target.
While Headwall is currently rated a $51 chance for this year’s The Everest, a winning return would significantly strengthen his claims for one of the 12 available slots, with none yet officially allocated.
Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising heads early betting at $1.50 to defend his Everest crown, ahead of Autumn Glow at $6 and Tempted at $8.
