ANTHONY Butt joked that Dr Susan can be "a bit of a tart", but when it mattered at the Bathurst Paceway on Saturday night she showed that she is a quality filly as well.
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She posted an impressive four metre win in the Group 1 Gold Bracelet Final (2,260 metres) for three-year-old fillies.
There was no a hotter favourite - she was at $1.15 - on the finals night of the Bathurst Harness Racing Club's carnival and while Dr Susan ultimately delivered, there was some tense moments.
She caused a false start the first time the mobile barrier rolled around, putting pressure on Butt to make sure she got it right the second time.
"She's a bit of a tart, she can do that and so I was holding my breath, I didn't want her to do it the second time," Butt said.
"She wasn't on her best behaviour tonight, she's done that in the past a couple of times. You've always got to be aware of, it was heart in mouth stuff, I didn't want to cause a second false start, but the second time she was as good as gold.
"It worked out well in the finish. She's a lovely filly, but she does have that trait of ducking her tail sometimes, yeah, you've got your heart in your mouth sometimes."
Aiming to join Dancingonmoonlight (Gold Bracelet 2000), Master Musician (Gold Crown 1990) and Another Party (Gold Crown 1997) in coming from her New Zealand base to win one of the carnival's major trophies, Dr Susan looked a good thing.
She won her heat by 13.1m then the Cran Dalgety-Nathan Purdon Christchurch trained filly drew pole position for the final.
Though her first attempt at starting was not good, take two was much better as Dr Susan managed to hold the lead.
Her advantage stood at four metres as the bell sounded and that's as close as they got.
A 28.2 seconds third quarter saw her skip away and while a bold Vincenzina ($14) flew home, the favourite could not be denied. Third went to Amelia Rose ($13).
Dr Susan got home in 27.8 for a 1:56.3 mile rate and took her record this season to eight wins and four minors from 16 starts.
"It's been a great campaign in Australia and it was really good to win this race tonight," Butt said.
"My sister owns it, so Christmas will be good this year," he added with a laugh.
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