Cambridge trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood sent a pair of up-and-coming three-year-old fillies to Trentham on Saturday for the time-honoured Gr.3 NZB Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) and received the perfect return when they formed the quinella in the event after a thrilling home straight battle.

James McDonald made the most of a late pick-up ride on Hawker Hall when he let the gelding rip from a wide barrier to run his rivals ragged in the $250,000 Magic Millions Class 6 Plate (1200m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday.