‘No regrets’ for Oaks Day streaker

SHE’S not embarrassed, but her kids sure are. The “Soaks Day” streaker has spoken about her near-nude trackside gallop.

“SOAKS Day streaker” Susan Bentley says she doesn’t regret her infamous near-nude trackside romp, insisting she’d do it all again.

The 52-year-old mental health worker was photographed and filmed stripping down to her underwear and galloping along the Flemington green when a freak storm halted Oaks Day celebrations in Melbourne yesterday.

Ms Bentley wasn’t put off by the rain at Flemington. Picture: Alex Coppel

Speaking with 3AW host Neil Mitchell, Ms Bentley said she wasn’t embarrassed by the images and footage being splashed on the front page of newspapers and television screens, but her children probably would be.

“My son is in Thailand, he says he’s going to apply for citizenship there,” she said.

“It’s not the first time I’ve embarrassed them, but it’s the first time I’ve done it on a national scale.”

Ms Bentley, who travels via coach to the Melbourne Cup Carnival Ladies Day every year, said that she “may have had a few glasses of champagne on the way in”.

“Not that I was that inebriated, really,” she said.

The grandmother revealed the act was the product of a $10 bet, but she “would’ve done it for free”.

She was more worried she lost her hat. Picture: Alex Coppel

The wet dress went back on after her gallop. Picture: Alex Coppel

Ms Bentley said she had “no regrets” from the day, and was enjoying the attention.

“I’ve heard from people I haven’t heard from in years, and I don’t usually care what people think,” she said.

“The older you get, the less you care.”

She said she decided to get her kit off because, when the heavens opened over Flemington, Oaks Day “was all a bit wet and a bit boring.”

Asked by 3AW if she would do the same thing again, she replied: “Absolutely.”

The grandmother revealed that she had learnt a lesson from the experience: “When your mother says wear good undies, she was right wasn’t she,” she said.

“I had my Bridget Joneses on!”

The former “mystery woman” has divided the community with the footage of her joyous “streak”.

While most commenters on the photographs and video on Facebook were positive, some thought the act was inappropriate, and even suggested she should have been arrested.

Ms Bentley herself said the act was “a bit of fun.

“The world’s too serious and there should be more of it.”

The rain and wind cleared out Flemington racecourse, apart from a few brave souls like Ms Bentley. Picture: George Salpigtidis.