Craig Williams made a successful return to metropolitan racing on Wednesday, guiding Bossy Benita to victory in the MRC Membership Feel The Thrill Handicap (1200m) at Sandown.
The win marked Williams’ first metro ride since June 21, following a suspension he received for an incident during the Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm. During his two-week break, Williams remained active, riding trackwork and partnering with Bossy Benita in a jump-out at Sandown on June 25.
Bossy Benita, trained by Michael Mehegan, continued her love affair with Sandown by adding a Lakeside win to back-to-back Hillside triumphs from her previous campaign.
“Credit must go to her trainer Michael Mehegan,” Williams said.
“He’s a really good horseman and is educating her and bringing her along nicely and he was confident enough to put some headgear on her.
“I jumped her out the other day and gave him some feedback, and he was able to work with that.
“He’s found the right product and the right tools to win first-up and there is more in store.”
The victory narrowed the gap between Williams and Blake Shinn in the Victorian Jockeys’ Metropolitan Premiership, with Williams now just seven wins adrift and six meetings remaining in the season.
Shinn, returning from a foot injury that had sidelined him since May, was also back riding on Wednesday, reigniting the competition between the two top jockeys.
“I love these battles in these championships,” Williams said.
“This battle with Blake has inspired me to ride more and do better and if he wasn’t here now it may be a lot easier.
“But this is what racing is about, competition. I love the competition, and he gives me great motivation.”
Williams shared a light-hearted moment about his return, joking about the welcome he received in the jockeys’ room.
“Raelene is here today, Blake’s nanna, and she said ‘don’t you go beating Blake’,” Williams said.
“But I said if it wasn’t for me being here, Blake wouldn’t be here either.”
With both riders back in action and the season drawing to a close, punters following the betting action in the Victorian Jockeys’ Premiership will be keeping a close eye on this exciting head-to-head.
