THE mare of the moment has notched up another victory on the path towards her $1.3 million date with destiny.
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Press Box ($2.70 favourite) made a big statement for Bathurst trainer Dean Mirfin by taking out The Panorama (1,300 metres) on Sunday at her home track, continuing her encouraging form ahead of The Kosciuszko at Royal Randwick on October 19.
Under the control of Robbie Dolan, Press Box charged down Sugar Dance ($7.50, Katie Cowan) before holding off a challenge from Bravissimo ($13, Richard Bensley) to win the inaugural running of the $40,000 feature.
"She came to me out of the blue and she's accrued a fantastic record already," he said.
"She's a very valuable mare and I'm just very thankful to have her.
"There had been a track bias here today where leaders had won all day so we got nervous that her racing pattern wouldn't be suitable here. She overcame that and won and she's been the only horse all day to do it."
The question has to be asked: How far can she go?
Press Box has quickly become one of the most exciting horses trained in the Western Districts with her strike rate of four wins from five starts for Mirfin.
The step up to The Kosciuszko will be telling, but Mirfin's just grateful to be along for the ride.
"I haven't put a ceiling on her because we're not sure where it is. She doesn't put races away or win by big margins but she's very tough and she does what she needs to do to win," he said.
"She's building up a great record doing that and she's now going away to Sydney in three weeks time for a race worth a fortune and we're thrilled to have her in it."
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Press Box has already notched up $78,000 in prizemoney since coming to the country from Chris Waller's stables.
Her victory on Sunday might have been her gutsiest win yet.
The pace was high from the early stages as Sugar Dance and Star Of O'Reilly jostled for control of the race.
Inside the 400m the pair had a two length advantage over Nations, ahead of Bravissimo and Press Box.
The remainder of the field had plenty of work to do as they gave up several lengths to the front five as the straight loomed.
Sugar Dance powered on ahead of Star Of O'Reilly as Bravissimo and Press Box took different routes in their sprint home.
Bravissimo drew alongside Sugar Dance at the 200m with a rails run while Press Box began to take control of proceedings down the centre of the track.
Press Box went clear to win by a length over Bravissimo with Sugar Dance a half length behind in third.