Racing: Odds shorten on Serena

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The biggest shortener at the TAB for Riccarton next month is Serena Miss after her dashing win over the best 3-year-old field assembled this season for yesterday's $100,000 James and Annie Sarten Memorial at Te Rapa.

Especially when co-trainer Debbie Rogerson said the filly will do a "Katie Lee" with her and run in the 2000 Guineas against the boys.

"I'm 99 per cent sure we'll do a Katie Lee with her," said Debbie Rogerson when the gutsy filly outfinished Hawke's Bay Guineas winner Amarula and Stradivarius.

In 2009 Katie Lee beat eventual Derby winner Military Move in the 2000 Guineas at Riccarton and backed up with beating eventual Oaks winner Keep The Peace in the 1000 Guineas.

You now won't get anything like the $21 the TAB was offering on Riccarton before yesterday's race.

"We were going to take her to Melbourne, but the races kept being called off here and we decided to go to Riccarton instead," said Rogerson.

"We'll roll the dice and run her against the boys."

The track at Te Rapa was lightning fast and the 1400m was run in an incredible 1.21.16, a time unheard of for 3-year-olds.

Amarula fought strongly for second, as did third-placed Stradivarius, who paid a remarkable $13 for a place. His form has been strong apart from a luckless run at Hastings last start. "I can't believe he was paying $50," said an astounded trainer Lee Somervell.

Amarula and Stradivarius will both go to the 2000 Guineas at Riccarton as will fifth placed Rocanto. "I was very pleased with that," said trainer Stephen Marsh. Fourth placed Ali Baba showed he was also a serious contender after slipping and losing two lengths coming out of the barrier.