JUNORTOUN trainer Kent Harpley's highly-promising mare Boxofchocolates kept her perfect record intact with a tough win at Kilmore on Tuesday night.
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The five-year-old, who is owned by Loddon Valley Stud's John Campbell, continued her impressive climb through the classes, and was able to account for a smart one in the form of the Emma Stewart-trained gelding Abouttime.
Tuesday night's win made it five from five for the daughter of Union Guy and Hellenback.
Campbell - a long-time breeder of standardbreds - continues to revel in his first foray into racing ownership.
"There's probably quite a few (horses), who have won their first five, but it's all new to us," he said.
"We've bred quite a few, but this is the first one we have raced, so it's quite different.
"Racing one was never a concern and it was (wife) Kay, who pointed it out, that we'd never raced one.
"He beat a very good horse last night too, which is very encouraging.
"It was a fair step up in class anyway, but that gelding (Abouttime) had won eight races for a nice bit of money. That's why he was on the second row, but he was still hard to beat."
Campbell, the president of the Boort Harness Racing Club, again praised the patience and thoroughness shown by his trainer.
"He's very keen to give her every opportunity," he said.
"Both Kent and (driver) Chris Alford, they're not in a rush.
"Abouttime got to her and we reckon he might have got the nose in front at one stage.
"The straight at Kilmore is uphill, but she knuckled down and won it safely on the line.
Campbell said there were no firm plans in terms of the mare's next run, but hinted a spell was likely some time during the spring.
"Kent will ring me today (Wednesday) .... we might go for another similar race, or it might be that we step up to a metro-type race," he said.
"I have a feeling Kent might put her in for one more race before a bit of a let up."
Boxofchocolates, who debuted in brilliant style with a 35.4m win at Bendigo's Lord's Raceway in June, has now won at four venues, including Shepparton and Maryborough.
Alford has driven the mare in all five of her races.
Read more: Sweet mare's debut is one out of the box
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