Headwall has earned a spot in the $5m The Quokka at Ascot on April 26, following a series of impressive performances.
Trained by Matt Smith, the five-year-old sprinter will race for slot holder Unibet/Chief Racing in the prestigious 1200m sprint, part of the Western Trilogy tri-code series.
In career-best form, Headwall recently finished an unlucky third in the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes at Royal Randwick, behind Briasa and Overpass, who leads betting for The Quokka after winning the previous two editions.
Before that, Headwall ran fourth in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate and second in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap.
Smith credited these strong efforts as the reason for targeting The Quokka: “The horse is flying at the moment, and we believe we have the right horse peaking at the right time.”
Headwall is currently a $6 second favourite for the race, behind Overpass at $2.50.