The quest for 2014 Classic honours moved up a notch yesterday with the running of the first designated trophy race — the Eight Thirty Sprint over 1,000 metres straight for three-year-old fillies.

River Mumma, racing for the first time, easily took the event, running away from rivals in the last two furlongs to score by three-and-a-half lengths over All Correct and Kabrina, who dead-heated for second position.

River Mumma by Legal Process – Lady Pooja was guided to victory by Richard Mitchell and is trained by Paul Smith, who was scoring his first win of the season from four starts. The winning time was 1:00.3 minutes.

The second trophy race on offer on the 10-race programme, the James B Dawes Memorial Cup for horses in the $450,000 – $400,000 claiming category went in front running manner to Light Brigade ridden by Shamaree Muir and trained by Fitzroy Glispie. Second went to Di Cobre (Orlando Foster) with Alphaletta (Kuri Powell) third.

Champion jockey Dane Nelson reported sick for the day and did not ride. Former champion jockeys, Trevor Simpson, Omar Walker, and Percy Williams made use of the opportunity, with Simpson winning on Exotic Gold, Williams on Piscean Rocket, and Walker on Touring With Rhea were both rides slated for Nelson. These were all mounts Nelson was booked to ride.

Champion trainer Wayne DaCosta was the top trainer with two winners, Exotic Gold and Rum Punch, while apprentice Kuri Powell was the best of the riders with two winners, Girl On Fire and Cobra.