Serena Miss Sweeps Up Stakes Success

Two-year-old Serena Miss (NZ) (Iffraaj) recorded her first stakes victory in the Group 2 $100,000 J Swap Contractors Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) at Matamata Racecourse on Saturday.

Serena Miss (NZ) achieves victory in the Group 2 J Swap Contractors Matamata Breeders' Stakes. Photo courtesy of Trish Dunell.

Trained by Graeme and Debbie Rogerson, Serena Miss is enjoying a stellar season, with this her second win from just four starts. Her two other runs have seen her finish second both times, including her last start in the Group 2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes in December.

“It was a big run but I think she’s going to be a very good filly and a great three-year-old,” commented co-trainer Graeme Rogerson. “She’s been unlucky and probably should have won every start, however, she’s still learning and got there today and that’s all that counts.

“She will go to Auckland for the Group 1 (Haunui Farm Diamond Stakes) now and then we might take her to Sydney after that but I’ll just see.”

Leith Innes had his first ride on Serena Miss, jumping from barrier 5 to find a position behind mid-field one off the rail. The Iffraaj filly travelled mid-field until emerging at the corner where she attempted to catch front-runner Strata Lady (NZ) (Stratum).

The final 200m metres saw Serena Miss power along the outside to battle against Strata Lady and Nahema (NZ) (Per Incanto) to claim victory by a nose. Nahema narrowly missed to finish in second position and Strata Lady in third. Serena Miss had to then survive a protest as Nahema alleged interference, however, the protest was dismissed.

The two-year-old filly increased her total stakes to $94,875 for owners D Wenham, T Bawden, D & R Lake, R Ratcliffe, G Whiting, P & E Karton, Bailey Rogerson Trust, C Mumby and trainers Graeme and Debbie Rogerson.

Serena Miss was purchased at the 2014 Karaka Premier Sale by Rogerson Bloodstock for $65,000 from Goodwood Stud, who was her breeder.

Sired by leading New Zealand sire Iffraaj, she is out of Gifted Lass (More Than Ready), who is a half-sister to multiple Australian stakes winner Presently (Unbridled’s Song), and stakes placegetter Another Time (Gilded Time), who finished second in the Group 3 Black Opal Stakes.