Shannon O’Sullivan achieved her initial aim in harness racing when she drove her 100th career winner aboard the David Aiken-trained Mighty Flying Art at Cobram five months ago.

The daughter of legendary horseman Jim O’Sullivan, Shannon recalls riding in a sulky as a toddler en route to securing her driver’s licence on her 18th birthday.

“When I started driving in races all I wanted to do was get a century of wins,” O’Sullivan said.

Despite being surrounded by horses from the time she could walk, O’Sullivan harboured visions of forging a career in any sector where she could assist the community.

“I always wanted to be a teacher or a nurse where I could help people,” she said.

“But it changed a bit as I grew up and got more involved with the horses, and I went from the pony trots to driving in races.”

A couple of months ago, O’Sullivan chalked up another milestone when she landed her first metropolitan win aboard Love Ina Chevy at Tabcorp Park.

“I don’t get a lot of opportunities to drive at Melton on a Saturday night, so it was a big thrill to win on Love Ina Chevy who is a story in himself,” she said.

The 23-year-old O’Sullivan’s potential off the track was detected by Harness Racing Victoria and these days she is a regular face on TrotsVision.

“I didn’t think I would get involved in the media, but I started doing a few radio segments and then I was approached to do some hosting on TrotsVision and I enjoy it every time I go on,” she said.

The multi-talented O’Sullivan is poised to graduate with a Degree in Exercise Science at the end of the year.

“There are a lot of similarities between horses and humans in movement so who knows where it will lead to,” she said.

“I like the clinical side of it, working in hospitals.”

O’Sullivan believes her post-graduate work-life balance will still involve a healthy dose of harness racing.

“I like the training side of things and would look at spending some time at other stables to learn more about it,” she said.

Not that she has to look far to tap into a veritable encyclopedia of the sport.

“Yes, Dad is always there to answer any questions,” she said.

“He remembers everything and has so much knowledge - he should write a book.”

O’Sullivan will be searching for her second metropolitan success when she partners the Kate Hargreaves-trained Beau Garcon in the Max Agnew Memorial Trot and Wonga Lake in the VHRC Pace at Melton this Saturday night.

“Both have a chance if the races are run to suit with the right tempo,” she said.

TUNE IN at MELTON on Saturday 

First Race: 6.01pm Last Race: 10.08pm
Racecaller: Dan Mielicki with Rob Auber and Steve Cleave in the TrotsVision studio.
TrotsVision: WATCH LIVE
SEN Track: LISTEN LIVE 
RSN 927: LISTEN LIVE

JASON BONNINGTON ON MELTON

RACE 7: HYLANDS MY LIGHTNING BLUE FREE FOR ALL
EARLY SPEED: 3 (Likely Leader) + 2,6?,7 + 5?
SELECTIONS: LOCHINVAR ART (11), TORRID SAINT (6), TANGO TARA (7), SUPREME DOMINATOR (10)
RATINGS: 11 / 6 / 7 / 10 / 4 / 3 / 5 / 2 / 8
SUGGESTED BET: TANGO TARA (7) 1 x 3
For tips and speedmaps for all races visit Good Form at thetrots.com.au

Winner of the Week

GUNNA NEEDAMARGARITA, by American Ideal out of Fellamongstabeauty, a winner at Albion Park on August 13.
 Breed your next winner with Woodlands Stud, supporter of Trots Centre
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The good oil from the Vic trials circuit

Melton, R3 N8, Catch A Wave
At Melton on August 8, the star 3yo pacer CATCH A WAVE settled in third position, pulled hard then came out three horses wide on the home turn. He cruised past his rivals and posted an amazing mile rate of 1.54.8 (2240m) so he is obviously close to his peak form. REPORT
Melton, R1 N10, Captain Bellasario
At Cranbourne on August 9, SAHARA SIROCCO was able to sprint up the straight best in the battle of two speedsters. CAPTAIN BELLASARIO set the speed with SAHARA SIROCCO trailing but SAHARA SIROCCO had the superior acceleration via the sprint lane at the end. The final sectionals were fast so both horses performed very well. REPORT