By Robert Windmill

MELBOURNE, July 1 AAP - Jockey Linda Meech is on the verge of a career milestone after bringing up her 99th win for the season on Mistry at Sandown on Wednesday.

Meech, 28, led all the way on the Bruce Purcell-trained mare in the Blue Diamond Entries Close 7/7 Handicap (1000m).

"This is my best season by far," Meech said.

She has ridden 97 winners in Victoria and two interstate and is 10th in the national jockeys' premiership.

Meech attributes much of her success to her association with trainer Peter Moody.

"This season he was one of the first trainers who put me on," she said.

She now does the bulk of Moody's country riding when stable jockey Luke Nolen is unavailable.

"Being with a big stable definitely helps you," Meech said.

"You can't ride winners if the horses are too slow."

Meech admitted to getting "wound up" for big occasions but was trying to block out being so close to 100 wins until it happens.

"I try not to worry too much about things like that," Meech said.

Meanwhile, Craig Williams joined Damien Oliver in the lead in the Melbourne jockeys' premiership when he booted home The Zeustar for his 65th win of the season in the 1300 Go Race Handicap (2400m).

Trained by Michael Kent, The Zeustar improved on his last-start seventh at Moonee Valley when he finished strongly to score by two lengths from No Drama.

Williams is trying to win the premiership for the fourth year in a row.

Oliver is suspended and missed Wednesday's meeting but returns on Saturday for Flemington's "Finals Day" program.

Brad Rawiller closed the gap on Greg Ryan in the national jockeys' premiership with a winning double on Tolka Rock and Diamond Envy.

He has now ridden 136 winners, including a dead-heat, for the season and moved into second place ahead of William Pike (135 wins).

He is four wins behind Ryan who is currently suspended.

AAP TURF rw/gm



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