At the top of the straight I was thinking 'don't stuff up'

IN THE midst of the action, Charlene Gusman admits she had to force her excitement to the side in a bid to remain focused as the field turned for home in last night's Home Grown Classic at Tabcorp Park Melton.

With her filly Clives Girl enjoying the run of the race behind the pacemaker, Emjaybee, Gusman had no doubt victory was in her grasp, but nerves began to take control...and for good reason!

Gusman not only drives Clives Girl, but she bred, owns and trains the daughter of Bettors Delight which was on the verge of providing the horsewoman with her biggest success.

"I was pretty excited turning for home as I knew she would get use of the sprint lane and was full of running," Gusman said.

"Then at the top of the straight I was thinking 'don't stuff up' and hit a wheel of anything.

"Plus I'd never pulled the plugs on her and was debating if I should pull them or not as I didn't know how she would respond."

To Gusman delight Clives Girl responded perfectly as she sprinted to a three-metre win from the pacemaker, with Joyful three metres away third.

Breaking her maiden at her second start, having been runner-up upon debut, Clives Girl rated 1:55.9 over 1720 metres.

"I was confident before the race because of the barrier draw as I felt if she could do enough to be behind the leader she would finish off quickly as she can sit on the helmet well and has a good sprint," Gusman said.

"I ended up pulling the plugs when I got level with the leader and that's when she pulled away...I was rapt with the way she handled that.

"When she got to the front I was like 'you bloody beauty' and I could hear my cheer squad as they were screaming that hard."

By broodmare gem Shes Norma Jeane, which Gusman also trained, Clives Girl is named in honour of Gusman's close friend and mentor, Clive Smith.

"I was stabled at Kilmore with Clive Smith and she was his favourite," Gusman said. "He always picked her out, brushed her and muck around with her and I would refer to her as Clives Girl, so the name stuck.

"Clive was a trainer in 1980s and '90s and was planning to come last night, but he hasn't been too well and with her being in the last race it was too late for him.

"He stayed up to watch her and had sent me a message saying it is the best thing he as ever seen before I'd even gotten off the track!

"That topped everything right off for me and I'm heading to see him today to watch the replay and show him the trophy."