In form sprinter Headwall secures Overpass rematch in $5m The Quokka at Ascot on April 26
Headwall, the flashing red light run in Saturday’s TJ Smith Stakes, is off to Perth for a tilt at the $5m The Quokka.
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Three barnstorming performances this time in has secured Headwall a slot in the $5m The Quokka (1200m) at Ascot on April 26.
The Matt Smith-trained five-year-old will race for slot holder Unibet/Chief Racing in the lucrative sprint feature which is the thoroughbred leg of the Western Trilogy tri-code race series.
Headwall takes his place in The Quokka in career best form following his eye-catching - and unlucky - third placed finish to Briasa in last Saturday’s Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) on Day 1 of The Championships at Royal Randwick.
Splitting the pair in the group 1 feature was Overpass which heads betting for The Quokka in his bid to maintain his unbeaten record in the race, having annexed the two previous stagings, along with landing the past two runnings of the Group 1 Winterbottom.
Before Headwall’s flashing red light run in the TJ, the six-time winner finished an eye-catching fourth in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate first up before running out of his skin to finish second to Joliestar in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap.
Trainer Matt Smith said it “was those incredible three runs this campaign” that was the catalyst for heading west in pursuit of The Quokka glory.
“We have been speaking to the Unibet-Chief Racing slot holders since his unlucky second in the Newmarket,” Smith said.
“The owners and I are really looking forward to heading west for The Quokka after what he produced in Saturday’s TJ.
“The horse is flying at the moment and his run on Saturday at group 1 weight for age level when not getting clear until late in the straight shows he can compete at that level.
“We believe we have the right horse peaking at the right time for The Quokka. We are looking forward to being a part of it all.”
Headwall is a $6 second favourite for The Quokka behind Overpass at $2.50.
I Am Me, which finished 11th in the TJ Smith Stakes, is on the next line at $8.
Originally published as In form sprinter Headwall secures Overpass rematch in $5m The Quokka at Ascot on April 26
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