Craig Williams pegs one back in premiership race

 Craig Williams returned from suspension in style on Wednesday, steering Bossy Benita to a determined victory in the MRC Membership Feel The Thrill Handicap (1200m) at Sandown.

Having not ridden at a metropolitan meeting since June 21, Williams used his break—incurred for a Stradbroke Handicap incident—to keep sharp, including teaming up with Bossy Benita in a key jump-out on June 25.

The Michael Mehegan-trained mare has now won three of her past three starts at Sandown, reaffirming her specialist status on the track, with this latest success marking her first-up performance on the Lakeside layout.

“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 brought Williams closer to Blake Shinn in the race for the Victorian Jockeys’ Metropolitan Premiership, cutting the lead to just seven wins with six meetings remaining.

Shinn, who had been off the track due to a foot injury since late May, was also back riding at Sandown, setting the scene for an exciting title race down the stretch.

“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 also recounted a playful encounter in the jockeys’ room with Shinn’s grandmother Raelene, who jokingly warned him not to beat her grandson.

“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.”

As the premiership battle intensifies, it’s a great time for fans of betting to follow the action through the final weeks of the season.