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Headwall Claims Concorde Stakes, Firms for The Everest

Matthew Smith is hoping for a call for the $20 million The Everest comes after his underrated sprinter Headwall beat home Lady Shenandoah in a thrilling Concorde Stakes 2025 result at Randwick on Saturday.

Headwall staked a compelling claim for an Everest slot in the world’s richest turf race on October 18 with a brilliant first-up victory in the Group 3 $1 million Concorde Stakes (1000m).

The consistent six-year-old sprinted powerfully from the back of the field to defeat a quality line-up including Chris Waller’s returning, multiple Group 1 winning mare Lady Shenandoah and highlight his credentials as a top-tier sprinter.

In a fast-paced 1000m dash, Headwall, ridden by jockey Zac Lloyd, settled towards the rear of the field as last year’s Moir Stakes winner Mornington Glory set a blistering pace.

As the field straightened for home, Headwall was still back in the pack but began to make his move.

Lloyd expertly guided his mount into the clear, stoking Headwall ($4.20) up to come with a big run down the outside before he unleashed a devastating turn of foot to power past his rivals.

He hit the front in the final 50 meters, holding off a powerful late surge from the unlucky favourite Lady Shenandoah to win by a short head, with Ostraka finishing a half-length back in third.

Headwall had not finished outside the top four in his last eight starts, which included placing in two Group 1 races in the autumn: the Newmarket Handicap (2nd) and the T.J. Smith Stakes (3rd).

His last start before the spell was a narrow second in the $5 million Quokka at Ascot in April. This form, combined with his two strong trials leading into the Concorde, had the horse primed for a big performance.

Following the win, a relieved Smith expressed his hope that the performance would be enough to secure a slot in the prestigious $20 million The Everest.

“Hopefully someone will give us a call. You never know. It’s a hard race to get into and everybody wants to be in there. It’s about timing and the timing is good for this horse,” he said.

“He’s got the credentials, and the timing is good so fingers crossed we can get a slot.”

Smith confirmed that Headwall is likely to have his next start in the Group 2 The Shorts at Randwick in two weeks.

A strong performance there would all but guarantee a spot in The Everest field.

“If he comes through this run good, we’ll go to The Shorts then we could easily go a month between The Shorts and The Everest if we get a slot,” Smith said.

“It’s a relief to see him run so well first-up. You just want to see him come back where he left off last time in and just run the way he has been working and trialling.”

Headwall’s win took his overall career record to seven wins and nine placings from 18 starts, with earnings over $2.1 million.

He is now a firming contender in The Everest betting at Ladbrokes.com.au and could be a major threat to the likes of confirmed runner Jimmysstar, who finished fifth in the Concorde.

Jimmysstar is at $9 in futures The Everest odds, while luckless Concorde runner-up Lady Shenandoah is into $8.

Headwall looks an attractive price at $21.

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