Champion Filly for Sebring

Sebring filly Mikimoto lost her unbeaten record when third in Saturday’s $200,000 Group III WATC WA Champion Fillies Stakes (1600m) but the future looks bright for the winner Art Series who also happens to be a daughter of Sebring.

Ridden by Joseph Azzopardi for trainer Darren McAuliffe, Art Series overcame a troubled run to defeat Private Dancer by a nose with the odds-on favourite Mikimoto a short-neck back in third.

McAuliffe said he was dumbfounded by his filly’s win.

“She shouldn’t have won that, she was flattened four or five times in the straight and she had no luck,” McAuliffe said.

“Go back and watch the replay, you will be absolutely astonished how she won that, it’s just crazy.

“She’s just got a will to win that you don’t see in many horses.

“This filly came over on truck from the Hunter Valley and I said to her breeder Jay Anthonisz you might want to come over and look at her because she is the best filly I have clapped eyes on.

“She hasn’t grown a lot since those days but it’s great to have those guys support me and repay the faith.”

The $500,000 Group II WA Guineas at Ascot on November 25 is expected to be the next stop for Art Series.

Never off the board in 10 starts, Art Series has the overall record five wins and a second with four thirds with earnings of $384,800

Art Series is the best of four winners from Don’t Say Halo (USA) mare Left Alone, a daughter of stakes-placed Sovereign Striker, a sibling to stakes-winners Arctic Park, Power Plus and Zamerator.

Art Series becomes the 35th stakes winner for Sebring and is his fifth in Australia this season.