Headwall Eyes Everest Glory After Quokka Near-Miss

Posted on September 5, 2025September 5, 2025 | Posted by TABtouch

As the countdown to the 2025 Everest intensifies, one sprinter is quietly building a compelling case for inclusion in the world’s richest turf race: Headwall. Trained by Matt Smith, the rising 6-year-old has emerged as one of Australia’s most improved sprinters over the past year, and his spring campaign is laser-focused on securing a coveted Everest slot.

Headwall’s credentials were significantly bolstered over Autumn, where he placed in 2 elite Group 1 sprints—the Newmarket Handicap and the TJ Smith Stakes—before narrowly missing victory in The Quokka at Ascot. That run in Perth showcased his explosive finish and underlined his ability to match motors with the nation’s top sprinters.

The next step in Headwall’s Everest audition comes this Saturday, September 6, in the Group 3 Concorde Stakes (1000m) at Royal Randwick. It’s a race that has become a traditional launching pad for Everest hopefuls, and Headwall’s team is hoping he can make a statement first-up against a strong field that includes Lady Shenandoah, Jedibeel, and TAB slot-holder Jimmysstar.

Currently rated a $34 chance for The Everest, Headwall remains without a confirmed slot. However, a strong showing in the Concorde Stakes could change that quickly. Smith has penciled in a second-up run in the 1100m Group 2 The Shorts, but ideally, he hopes Headwall’s Everest ticket will be punched before then.

Not only does Headwall have proven Group 1 form and a powerful finishing burst, he has a trainer who knows what it takes to prepare an Everest contender. He saddled Buenos Noches in 2023, and while the galloper didn’t place, his performance was far from disappointing. Now in 2025, Headwall is poised to make waves. Whether he earns a slot remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—he’s knocking loudly on the door.