On Wednesday night at the Bathurst Paceway, Gotta Bewitched ($2 favourite) looked in danger of being run down in the third 2,260 metres heat of the Soldiers Saddle Series.

But the four-year-old Gotta Go Cullen x Denim Queen mare gave again to win her heat and earn a spot in next Friday’s $13,000 final.

She held off Dolly Braveheart ($4.40), a runner with strong Menangle form, by 1½ metres in an all the way effort from barrier two.

Co-owner Rees was delighted with the win, as was driver Nathan Xuereb who sat in the gig behind the David Eurell, Yanco-trained mare for the first time.

"She's been in top form, so to get the call up for this series was great,” he said.

"She's a mare that keeps coming, she still had plenty left on the line, she was just sort of toying with them. I know it didn't look good, but she had plenty left.”

With three wins and four second placings from seven starts this season heading into Wednesday night’s heat, it was no surprise that Gotta Bewitched held favouritism.

She zipped away once the green light was given, but Xuereb then backed things off for an easy 48 seconds lead time.

That was followed by a 31 second split for the first quarter of the last mile, Gotta Bewitched leading by a neck on the bell.

The favourite picked the speed up down the back straight, which spread out the field and had her a length off the front into the final bend.

But just as she had enjoyed a comfortable run in front, many of her rivals also had a good trip. Down the straight those rivals attacked.

Dolly Braveheart challenged on the inside, while Nathan Turnbull mounted a challenge on the outside with Brocks Under Fire ($27.70) after being four back on the pegs with a lap to travel.

But Gotta Bewitched loves to win and she did just that.

Xuereb is now hoping Gotta Bewitched draws well for the final and can emulate her efforts.

"It’s always nice to lead and it will be good to test her up against some of the other good ones in there in the final,” he said.