Headwall has thrust himself into The Everest (1200m) conversation with a powerful victory in the Concorde Stakes, though runner-up Lady Shenandoah almost stole the spotlight.

A proven Group 1 performer, the six-year-old resumed in style at Randwick, storming down the outside under Zac Lloyd to edge out Lady Shenandoah by a short head, with outsider Ostraka ($31) close up in third.

Trainer Matt Smith said he hoped the win was enough to catch the eye of slot holders. “Hopefully someone will give us a call… 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,” Smith said.

Lady Shenandoah, trained by Chris Waller and ridden by James McDonald, lost no admirers with her eye-catching run. “Gallant in defeat,” McDonald said.

Headwall firmed to $26 in Everest betting, with Lady Shenandoah into $8 behind dominant $1.80 favourite Ka Ying Rising.