The Shallows is back for another Tasmanian Summer Racing Festival, with the nine-year-old gelding resuming in Sunday evening’s Toreace Flying Mile (1609m) in Hobart.
The gelded son of Shadyshark Hanover has had a stellar racing career in Tasmania, having previously tasted success in some of the state’s biggest races, headlined by the 2021 Tasmania Cup, along with the 2024 Easter Cup in Launceston.
The Shallows continued his winning ways in January this year, winning both the Brighton and Hobart Pacing Cups.
“He is back to have another go at the bigger races,” said trainer Heath Woods.
The Shallows hasn’t raced since mid-August, with Sunday’s assignment the first of another campaign where he will be aimed at some of the state’s biggest races.
“He never seems to change much. He is still the same, and he has the same habits in his work. He looks well and is working like he usually does, and there is no reason to think that he couldn’t be competitive again.”
Brodie Davis, who became the youngest driver to win an Easter Cup when he partnered the pacer in 2024, will take the drive on Sunday, where they will start from a second-row draw.
“There looks to be a bit of speed off the front row, which should suit him. He should get a nice sit, and hopefully he runs on up the straight.
“A mile isn’t really his go, but a fast mile suits him.
“There are good money races coming up, and you have to be in them to win them, and he is always a chance with the right sort of luck,” said Woods.
Another pacer returning to the track on Sunday is Custom Harley, in the Fehlbergs Produce Sprint Lane Pace (2090m).
The 2024 Globe Derby Stakes winner had two starts over winter before his preparation came to an early end.
“He had a couple of runs, and we were aiming at the Raider Stakes, but he picked up a bug, so we had to miss that, and there wasn’t really much else on, so we just thought we would turn him out.
“He looks well, he has filled out a little bit and has been working alright, he may just need the run first up.
“It’s a handy field, I thought there may have been a few more in it, I was surprised only to see six in it. There are a couple there that begin well, and a couple that like to drop out and run home, so it should be a good race,” said the trainer about the winner of seven races from his 23 starts, and a top-three finish on Sunday will see the pacer pass $100,000 in prize money earnings.
