‘Gone to another level': Quokka first before Everest shot
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Trainer Matt Smith is adamant Headwall deserves a crack at this year's $20m The Everest as his star sprinter prepares to chase a win in Australia's second richest slot race at Ascot this Saturday.
Headwall can complete his meteoric rise up the Australian sprint ranks with victory in Perth's richest race, the $5m The Quokka (1200m).
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Despite not winning, the son of Dream Ahead has still been a revelation this campaign with a string of excellent performances at Group 1 level.
Smith's emerging talent followed up a first-up fourth in the Oakleigh Plate by finishing runner-up in the Newmarket Handicap and a fast-finishing third in the TJ Smith Stakes.
'He has gone to another level this preparation,' Smith said.
'You never know if horses are going to take that next step but he has.
'He has got the turn of foot to win a Group 1 and is clearly tracking in that direction based on his three runs this preparation.
'They've been outstanding so I am just delighted. He wouldn't have done this before because he wouldn't relax but now he is starting to relax in his runs and gives himself every chance to win one of these races.'
Headwall ($6) is one of three NSW raiders in Perth for the Quokka with two-time winner Overpass ($2 favourite) and country weapon Front Page ($9) also lining up.
Both Overpass and Front Page have drawn double-digit gates while Headwall jumps from barrier eight with Zac Lloyd aboard.
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'The draw is fine for us, we can't be unhappy with the draw,' Smith said.
'The horse seems to be happy, I can't fault him really.
'He has been here a little over a week now but he settled in fine and seems fine.
'He has had a few runs so we just need to tick him over and keep him happy.'
Smith said Headwall will go for a break straight after his trip to Perth to prepare for a spring assault he hopes will end up in The Everest.
'We will go through those Everest lead-up races,' Smith said.
'You can line all the form up now since we've had the three big sprints and you can see they are four or five of them within a length of each other.
'I think he well and truly deserves a crack at The Everest.'
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Only one horse has been locked in for this year's The Everest with The Galaxy winner Private Harry locked in to run in new owner Yulong's slot.
Meanwhile, Smith confirmed he will target the Group 2 Brisbane Cup (3200m) with comeback stayer Aethelflaed.
Aethelflaed, a runner up in the Group 1 VRC Oaks, made her comeback from a long lay-off with victory in a 2000m event at Canberra last Friday.
Originally published as Trainer Matt Smith already eyeing The Everest for star sprinter Headwall as he prepares for The Quokka
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