LIKE a breath of fresh air a brand new race, The Panorama, arrived on the scene last year at Tyers Park and was run at the time-honoured Bathurst Cup meeting.
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The inaugural running of The Panorama was won in brilliant style by four-year-old mare Press Box owned by Tony Muollo and family and ridden by Robbie Dolan for Bathurst trainer Dean Mirfin.
Press Box came to Mirfin from Sydney stables as a maiden class galloper and in a bright beginning for the talented Bathurst trainer, won three races in succession before finishing third at Randwick.
Starting the $2.70 favourite, Press Box dashed to the lead in the straight when beating Bravissimo and Sugar Dance in the 2019 Panorama.
She went on to gain a start in the $1.3 million The Kosciuszko, the richest race in the world for country trained horses, at Royal Randwick.
In that feature Press Box produced an outstanding performance to finish sixth behind the winner Handle The Truth and has since been retired to stud.
This year prize money for the 1,300 metres Panorama has been doubled to $80,000 and Mirfin confidently predicts the feature sprint will quickly become a major event on the country racing calendar.
"The timing of the race is a master stroke by Bathurst Thoroughbred Racing and Racing NSW as a perfect lead up for The Kosciuszko at Royal Randwick on October 17," Mirfin said.
"I think trainers from everywhere will be hoping to get a runner in the Panorama and I predict the leading stables from around country New South Wales will be at Bathurst."
Although Sydney, provincial and Interstate horses are eligible for nomination, they will be first eliminated in a ballot under the special conditions of the race.
Mirfin gained invaluable experience working for legendary trainers Tommy 'TJ' Smith and Bart Cummings and after being away from racing for a number of years, set up as a trainer at Bathurst where he first won a race with Sparton in 2012.
Now firmly established as a leading trainer, Mirfin has prepared many good gallopers including Cosmologist, Worldly Pleasure, Press Box, Jetgirl, Oywotzy, Oceanic, Alcatran, Dash Express, Repentant, Sovereignaire, Art'n'Ollie, Skipper Joe, Super Pig, Run Sally Run, Electrified, Tale Of The Kraut and I Am Capitan.
Ridden by Cowra jockey Eleanor Webster-Hawes and racing in the cerise and blue Superhorse colours of prominent owner Ross Williams, Cosmologist at long odds won a $150,000 Heat of the Country Championship in driving rain at Mudgee.
Winner of a string of races over the season, Worldly Pleasure was awarded the Central Districts 'Horse Of The Year' title and the trophy will be presented to the Bathurst based owners Steven and Karen Deal and partners on Bathurst Cup Day.
At this stage Mirfin is planning to be represented by Hamogany in this Saturday's Bathurst Cup and Worldly Pleasure in The Panorama.
Nominations close 11am Tuesday.
