Matthew Smith focused on Everest slot with improving sprinter Headwall

Following a campaign in three states, trainer Matt Smith will soon confirm plans for Headwall that will aim to get him into The Everest.

Trainer Matthew Smith is prepared to bypass the feature Brisbane sprints to give Headwall every chance to qualify for the $20m The TAB Everest later this year.

Headwall has emerged as a genuine Everest contender despite a winless, albeit luckless, autumn campaign.

He has taken on the best sprinters in training in four successive starts and could easily have won at least two Group 1 races.

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Headwall was hopelessly held up in the straight before finishing fourth to Jimmysstar in the Oakleigh Plate then he ran a close second to Joliestar in the Newmarket Handicap.

Smith’s underrated sprinter again had an interrupted run before his third to Briasa in the TJ Smith Stakes then he was beaten narrowly by Jokers Grin in The Quokka last Saturday.

Headwall is on the way back from Perth via a stopover in Melbourne on Thursday but Smith said he wants to check on the five-year-old’s condition when he is back at the trainer’s Warwick Farm stables before confirming plans for the gelding.

“I reckon Headwall will have a break now,’’ Smith said.

“He’s done a bit of travelling with a couple of trips away and there is Brisbane to consider.

“But I think when all said and done he should go for a break and then we can target The Everest in the spring.’’

Improving sprinter Headwall had a luckless autumn campaign. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

Despite Headwall’s consistent big-race form this autumn, Smith hasn’t fielded any approaches from slot-holders and TAB has the sprinter at $34 in early Everest betting behind Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising at $2.

Some of Headwall’s adversaries this autumn, Briasa ($8), Jimmysstar ($11) and Joliestar ($11) are among the early favourites for The Everest.

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“We haven’t had any contact from slot-holders yet but the plan is to get him to The Everest,’’ Smith said.

“So, by giving Headwall a break now, we can have him ready to go early in the spring.

“If he can win one of those early lead-up races to The Everest like the Concorde Stakes then surely he would get a start.’’

Unbeaten Private Harry ($6) remains the only confirmed starter for The Everest after racing and breeding giant Yulong – which owns a slot in the world’s richest turf race – secured a half-share in the sprinter after his win in the Group 1 The Galaxy during the Sydney autumn carnival.

Originally published as Matthew Smith focused on Everest slot with improving sprinter Headwall