THE transition out of COVID-19 lockdown and regional racing and a glut of big races like the recent Breeders Crown Series has translated to fewer opportunities in recent weeks for Shannon O'Sullivan.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But the 21-year-old from Heathcote remains as determined as ever to make the most of the chances that do flow her way.
The concession driver was able to tick off another bucket list item last Thursday at Kilmore when she notched the first double of her young and promising career.
O'Sullivan, who entered the meeting with just two drives, snatched the first leg of a winning double by coming three-wide in the straight aboard the Jess Tubbs-trained Im No Outlaw, ($4.80), to prevail in a thrilling finish over Pembrook Charlie for Julie and Glenn Douglas, with Azza (Leigh Graham and Tayla French) close up in third.
She completed the double by booting home the long-shot Cobargo Grin for Sunbury trainer Ahmed Taiba at odds of $72,60.
O'Sullivan was quick to show her appreciation to both trainers for their support.
"I'm always thankful for the opportunities to drive their horses and I wouldn't be getting these drives and wins without their support," she said.
"It would be nice to get stay on those horses, but I think Im No Outlaw is for sale and will be going on the market, and I think Cobargo Grin could also be going to another stable.
"It's always good to be able to stick with them when you have had a bit of luck, but I'm just as happy to get a drive every now and then on them."
After a relatively quiet November, O'Sullivan is hoping for a busier month to end a year like no other, dominated by COVID-19.
"It's been a pretty good year, but it's been a funny year with everything going so unexpectedly," she said.
"You just had to take it as it came. We were very lucky we were even able to race through COVID.
"I was fortunate to get what winners I did and I was able to reach the 50 win milestone, which was a goal of mine that I had in place at the start of the season.
"And getting the first double has allowed me to tick off another goal I had in the sport.
"Hopefully that momentum continues into next season."
O'Sullivan, who notched her first country cup win last December at Elmore and has 57 career wins in total, is readying for a year of change in 2021.
The talented young driver will combine racing with study after deciding to return to university to complete her Bachelor of Exercise Science at La Trobe University.
READ MORE:
Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.
