YOUNG reinswoman Shannon O'Sullivan says her recent four-week suspension has given her a chance to reset her goals and reflect on the things she loves about her chosen sport of harness racing.
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Always keen to turn a negative into a positive, O'Sullivan has returned to the sulky reinvigorated and potentially in career best form following a pair of winners from just handful of drives in the past week.
The 20-year-old followed up her win aboard the Tim Bolitho-trained Our Summer Wind at Terang last Wednesday, with another for home-track trainer Rick Cashman with Danman on Tuesday night at Cranbourne.
While neither horse is trained in her home region of Bendigo, the daughter of 2017 Gordon Rothacker Medal winner Jim O'Sullivan has built a strong affinity with both horses.
O'Sullivan has had three drives on Our Summer Wind for a win and a pair of placings, while her record on Danman, who paid $8.80 the win, reads 11 drives for two wins and three placings, including two at Tabcorp Park Melton.
O'Sullivan scored instant success with Danman, winning with her first drive on the eight-year-old gelding back in January.
His win on Tuesday was the son of US sire Village Jasper and Ritzy Emm's first since his January victory.
Naturally delighted to be back on the track, O'Sullivan said she was most happiest for the trainers of both horses for their show of faith in her.
"It's great not to just get back into the winning circle, but to drive for some really nice owners and trainers, who support me," she said.
"They didn't have to put me back on their horses after the four week suspension, they could have stayed with the drivers they had on them, so that was really nice.
"Our Summer Wind had been a little bit unlucky the first few times I drove him. He just got beat, but hadn't drawn well and has had to do a lot of work.
"With Danman, I had a win on him in my first race and it panned out very similar to the race last (Tuesday) night.
"I ended up sitting in the death and hoped he could keep going and he did. He's definitely one of my favourites Danman - a very honest horse on the track, who gives his all. If he draws well and things go to plan he's always a good chance."
Opening up on her suspension, which she appealed, but was dismissed O'Sullivan said the break had allowed her to step back from the sport and appreciate the positives in racing.
"It wasn't something I wanted to happen, but I did look at the bright side," she said.
"It was good to have a bit of a break and rediscover those reasons why I love this sport and recapture the passion."
O'Sullivan spent part of her time away furthering her education at the New South Wales stable of James Rattray.
The win aboard Danman has etched her closer to her three goals of having 20 career winners by the end of the 2018-19 season (she currently has 17), a top-10 finish in the state concession drivers premiership, and a top finish in the Bendigo concession drivers race series.
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