Broadmarsh trainer Heath Woods started in the industry back in the early 1990’s when he was offered a job at the Hobart Showgrounds to become a track attendant, and after four years he decided to take his trainer’s licence and have a crack at the industry he still loves today.
Woods has had numerous horses over the years with the best of them being a mare called Manwarra High Grade who won 11 races. Woods had a lot of fun with her as she went through to open class with one the highlights beating Tasmanian Derby winner, and open class star Joesashyguy.
In 2007 Heath decided to pause his training career due to family commitments, assisting his wife Penny caring for their two children Aaron and Sydney.
The hiatus came to an end after prompting from his son Aaron.
“Aaron suggested a couple of years ago that we should get a horse together as he was after another interest as an outlet from work. That’s when we started looking online for horses to buy before we settled on an untried two-year-old by Shadyshark Hanover which we were able to purchase for a reasonable price with the end result being The Shallows,” said Woods.
“Once he was broken in we had an idea he was a horse with ability, as he always showed plenty of high-speed and was a very well gaited pacer, although he did have a tendency in his early days to get a bit head strong and that’s the reason we were patient with him,” reflected Woods.
“His first preparation we were hoping, and he ran some nice races but still lacked the ring-craft. After a handful of runs he was given a brief let-up before returning and that’s when things started to click with him,” said Woods looking back on The Shallows getting his first win at start number eight in July this year.
It was his run on 27 October after a freshen-up when everything started to fall into place and the Woods duo – Heath And Aaron, started to believe they had one that was above average. The Shallows was super impressive sitting parked and beating the in-form Impassable, and that opinion was further vindicated with another excellent display on Australian Drivers Championship night.
The Shallows fourth consecutive win was arguably his best, doing all the work leading up the three-wide line before sprinting away at the top of the straight and holding off the late challengers.
Now with five wins and three placings from 14 career starts which sees him as one of the state’s most promising pacers, Heath Woods credits the teamwork of the father-son combination for the success.
“None of this would of happened without the help of Aaron who is an integral part of the training partnership. He does plenty of work with Rocky and thoroughly enjoys driving him in trackwork if I get held up at work,” said Woods, who has been the local postman for over 17 years around the Brighton area.
Heath only has two horses in work with other being a two-year-old filly out of former handy mare Step Up and Play from underrated stallion Stonebridge Regal. Woods purchased her at the yearling sales last year and is hoping she can be competitive later in the season.
The Woods family love the sport which brings them together, and at the moment they are experiencing plenty of highs with the run of The Shallows.
