*Article by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.racing.com/">Racing.com</a> 
Michael Mehegan's Bossy Benita has added another smart metro win to her resume, dashing clear under Craig Williams at Sandown on Wednesday.
The daughter of So You Think, who has won three races (all at Sandown) from nine career starts, sat handy to the pace and proved far too good as a $3.30 favourite off a freshen-up.
Williams, who has ridden Bossy Benita in all three victories, said the mare came to the races in perfect order and he gave all credit to Mehegan and his team.
WATCH: Bossy Benita's win
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Bossy Benita won two races consecutively before tiring in the VOBIS Gold Reef at Flemington and had jumped out sharply since, beating, among others, one-time Blue Diamond favourite My Gladiola.
"Credit to her trainer Michael Mehegan and obviously his staff around him," Williams said.
"He's a really good horseman and he's really educating her and bringing her along nicely.
"He had a couple of options this preparation, he was confident enough to put some headgear on her as well and that's the end result, her winning.
"I jumped her out the other day, I gave him some feedback and he worked with that information where he was comfortable with his horse and he's found the right product and tools to get her first-up today and she's got more in store."
WATCH: Hear from Williams post-race
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MJM Racing

Bossy, Willo strike again at Sandown

Michael Mehegan

Bencouver stormed back into form with a commanding win over 1400m on the Pakenham Synthetic track. Jumping straight to the lead, he was never headed and put the opposition away at the top of the straight.
It&rsquo;s been a challenging time for connections, given the ability Bencouver has shown, that has not translated into results. However, he appears a lot more mature and settled this prep, so a win appeared to be not too far away.
Hopefully now that Brad has recaptured his winning form he can continue to put his best step forward for the rest of the prep.
To view his race, <a href="https://www.racing.com/form/2025-07-07/sportsbet-pakenham-synthetic/race/8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">click here</a>.

Bencouver recaptures winning form

In what looked to be a strong race going in, Bossy Benita broke the hearts of her opponents with a blistering run at her first attempt over 1400m, recording a slick 1.22.75 and breaking the class record by 0.7 of a second and nudging a track record that has stood for over a decade.
Coming off a dominant maiden win, Betty overcame a wide barrier to cross the field early and take a sit outside the leader. Although the early tempo was hot, Betty was strong to the line and was able to hold off late pressure to claim consecutive wins at metro level.
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Michael was delighted with the improvement Betty has shown this prep, underlying the strong opinion the team has always had of her. She continues to step up in class and more than hold her own, and if she continues on this trajectory, she looks to be a minimum Saturday class horse.
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We have some very loyal and long time owners in the ownership group so, not only has it been exciting to be involved in Betty&rsquo;s hot run, it has been extremely pleasing to see them being rewarded for their patience and loyalty.
To view her race, <a href="https://www.racing.com/form/2025-03-19/sportsbet-sandown-hillside/race/6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">click here</a>.

Bossy Benita goes back-to-back

She had been knocking on the door for some time now so it was great to see Bossy Benita put the field away in the manner that she did at Sandown today over 1300m. Making the most of barrier 1, Betty jumped away quickly to settle in the lead and from there she was never headed. Clearly relishing the step up to 1300m, Betty got stronger and stronger as the race went on, and by the 400m the result was never in doubt. It was an easy steer for jockey Craig Williams, who never moved on her, defeating the field by over 3 lengths.
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The team has always had a high opinion of Bossy Benita, who now boasts a record of 1 win-1 second-2 thirds from only 6 starts, most of which have been at metropolitan level. The daughter of So You Think looks to have a promising future ahead of her and hopefully she can continue to progress and make a successful transition from maiden winner to better grades.
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To view her race, <a href="https://www.racing.com/form/2025-02-26/sportsbet-sandown-hillside/race/3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">click here</a>.

Bossy Benita breaks her maiden with a dominant win at Sandown

Despite a few pre-race dramas with a malfunctioning of the barriers causing a 50 minute delay, King Ben was able to put them aside to score a strong maiden win at Cranbourne over 1200m.
Although only his fourth career start, King Ben handled all that was unfolding around him, remaining calm and professional throughout.
The son of our stable star, Prussian Vixen, has shown a lot of ability at home and the team were confident of a very forward showing on Friday night. A great steer from Daniel Stackhouse put King Ben in a good position and as they entered the straight he strode to the front and from there was never headed.
It is now onwards and upwards for the 3yo gelding and with his career only in its early stages hopefully we can see him posting a few more wins in the coming months.
The win was particularly satisfying for Michael and Shannon as there is a great deal of emotional attachment to King Ben given they bred him, bred the Dam and brought the Grand Dam as a yearling.
To view King Ben&rsquo;s race,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.racing.com/form/2023-10-13/cranbourne/race/2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">click here</a>.

No Friday the 13th curse for King Ben

*Article by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.racing.com/">Racing.com</a> 
Michael Mehegan is hoping his last-minute decision to raise the reserve on a colt out of his smart mare Prussian Vixen begins to pay dividends when that first foal, King Ben, makes his debut in the $250,000 VOBIS Gold Rush (1000m) at Bendigo on Saturday.
The Mornington-based trainer sent Prussian Vixen to Darley stallion Impending when she retired in 2019 and King Ben was the result.
Mehegan took the colt to last year's Melbourne Inglis Premier Sale and the only reason he still has him was that call to increase his reserve by $10,000.
"He got passed in at $160,000 with a live bid of $150,000 on him. We lifted the reserve from $150,000 on the morning as I thought I was going to buy a horse for $150,000, so why not keep him?" Mehegan said.
Mehegan races King Ben with his partner Shannon Zibell and his parents, and he also sold shares to a number of loyal owners including George and Deb Benyon.
He believes the now gelding has shown some of the talent his mother possessed, leading him to set the galloper for $1 million race The Showdown on April 15 at Ladbrokes Park Sandown Lakeside.
He lost some time with King Ben when he was gelded as he suffered an infection and had to head to the paddock for a short time, but Mehegan has been happy with his two jumpouts at Mornington and then at Balnarring.
"He was perfect there as that's a track that can bring young horses undone," Mehegan said of King Ben's handling of a tight track in the 750-metre hit-out at Balnarring.
"I've given him a serious gallop since, leading into this, and he looks like he made significant improvement. It was with either Cranbourne and a tighter track or the open spaces of Bendigo, which will suit him better.
"You would think the raced ones would be too good and there's eight first starters, so he warrants his chance. It's a restricted race.
"I feel he's got some of his mum's ability. He's been a bit difficult to handle. Clay Beasy has been riding him in trackwork as he needs someone to take control of him. He can be a little bit difficult but he's a real professional going to the races." As for Prussian Vixen, Mehegan remembers her career fondly.
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"It does seem that she was racing not that long ago. She was a pretty high-class mare who became a bit unreliable as she got older. She had a few tricks in her bag and she was a bit difficult to handle," Mehehgan said.
"She won two Group 3s and finished second in a photo in the Hareeba Stakes; she was a pretty good race mare."
Mehegan has 12 horses on his books, including six yearlings he purchased at the recent Premier Sales, while he has two other horses racing, Bencouver and Russian Benefits.
This will be Mehegan's second runner in the VOBIS Gold Rush, after Miss Inbetween finished seventh behind Swats That and Bella Nipotina in 2020 before going on to run fourth in The Showdown.
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Mehegan hoping $10,000 call pays off

After competing in some hot maidens over 1200m in his first two starts this prep, Bencouver appreciated the step up in distance to 1400m to score a dominate win in the Jack Melbourne Takes On Sportsbet Maiden at Pakenham tonight.
The team were thrilled to see the 3yo gelding by Vancouver finally race up to the potential he has been showing them at home. Given a great ride from jockey Jamie Mott, Bencouver took a sit just off the pace before pushing his way through to take the gap at the top of the straight. From there he was able to accelerate past the leader and put several lengths on them to come away with the win by 3 lengths.
Although Michael has always felt we would not see the best of him until he stepped up to the 1400m and further, he resisted the temptation to step him up in distance too quickly as he is a big and strong horse that takes some time to get him to his optimum fitness base.
A $80,000 purchase from Supreme Thoroughbreds at the 2021 Inglis Premier Sale, the team has always had a high opinion of this horse so it was very satisfying to see him finally break his maiden in such a resounding way.
Hopefully Bencouver can now continue on his good form and set himself up for a good prep.
To view Bencouver&rsquo;s race,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.racing.com/form/2023-03-09/sportsbet-pakenham/race/5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">click here</a>.

Bencouver breaks his Maiden with a dominate win

2yo filly Russian Benefits began her career in perfect style, scoring an exciting last to first win at today&rsquo;s metro meeting at Mornington.
She has been showing plenty of ability in her jumpouts and work on the training track, and the result today vindicated the high opinion the team have of her.
Michael felt she is a horse best ridden cold and jockey Brett Prebble followed his instructions perfectly, allowing her to settle at the rear of the field and relax into a nice rhythm. Handling the testing Heavy 10 conditions well, she showed a good turn of foot when the gap finally opened in the straight, ducking and weaving to the inside of horses and storming to the lead before holding off a more experienced opponent.
There was plenty to like about yesterday&rsquo;s performance, and with natural improvement still to come, the team will now be able to look towards the Spring with confidence.
A $100k purchase at the 2021 Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale, the team first laid eyes on Russian Benefits when inspecting her on-site at Morning Rise Stud and she was at the top of their list to get from that sale. An enormous amount of time is spent inspecting yearlings at the sales, from scrutinising their confirmation, watching the way they move, to studying their pedigree, so it is hugely satisfying to see the hard work come to fruition.
To view Russian Benefits race,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.racing.com/form/2022-06-13/mornington/race/2#/results" target="_blank" rel="noopener">click here</a>

Russian Benefits scores Metro win on debut

In only her second start, Funky Me scored a win on her home track at Mornington today by the narrowest of margins.
Coming off a below par first up run, Funky Me was able to put the disappointing start to her career behind her to get the win. A better start to the race saw her land in a much more forward position and from there jockey Zac Spain was able to put the 3yo Fighting Sun filly into a nice spot just better than mid-field. Travelling very well as they rounded the final bend, Spain got Funky Me out upon straightening and she was able to run down the leader right on the line.
The win was very satisfying for the team who had high hopes for their filly on the back of a number of consistently solid jumpouts. Funky Me backed up their belief and relished the step up in distance to hit the line strongly and indicate she would be even tougher as she gets out over further. One thing is for sure, you can bet she won&rsquo;t be jumping out at odds of $110 in her next start!
Congratulations to all connections.
To view Helen&rsquo;s race,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.racing.com/form/2021-10-18/mornington/race/4#/results" target="_blank" rel="noopener">click here</a>

Funky Me breaks through for her maiden win

In only his third career start, Points All Round (PAR) stormed home for a gritty win over 1400m in a 3yo Maiden at Pakenham today. On the back of his impressive second over 1200m at this track 3 weeks ago, the team were confident the Nicconi gelding could go one better this start.
Although he settled in a tricky and unfamiliar position, Jamie Mott showed why he is one of the state&rsquo;s leading jockeys and was able to get PAR in to the clear as they straightened. It took every inch of the straight but under hands and heels, PAR was able to run them down right on the line.
Still very raw and immature, and with a lot to learn, it was a hugely satisfying win for the team who have experienced many setbacks and mishaps with PAR over the past 18 months. Michael has always had a good opinion of the 3yo, however with an uncanny knack for finding bad luck, PAR has been plagued with illness and injury for much of his early career and his performance reflected this. Now fully fit and growing into himself, the team is hoping he can start competing to the best of his ability and continue to provide his very patient owners with something to cheer about.
<a href="https://www.racing.com/form/2021-06-04/sportsbet-pakenham-synthetic/race/1/results#/results" target="_blank" rel="noopener">To view his race, click here</a>
It&rsquo;s been a very consistent couple of months for MJM Racing. Our last 8 runners have produced 2 wins, 1 second, 1 third and 3 fourths with a win/place strike rate of 50%. And with some exciting 2yo&rsquo;s deep into their preps, we are also hoping we can see them on the track over the next few months.

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Bossy, Willo strike again at Sandown

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