3 minute read
No Half Measures could take the step up to Group 1 level in the Prix de l’Abbaye next month after a smooth success in the Group 3 Dubai International Airport World Trophy Stakes at Newbury.
Following a lengthy thunderstorm in the early hours of the morning, conditions turned too heavy at Newbury, leaving a field of eight going to post for the Group 3 sprint.
Despite the heavy ground, the pace was a brisk one with Charlie Hills' Democracy Dilemma shooting clear into an early advantage.
However, he soon began to weaken in the testing conditions and the eye was quickly drawn to No Half Measures, who convincingly struck the front for Ryan Moore before staying on strongly to a one-and-a-quarter-length success.
Both Relief Rally and Annaf came home well from the rear of the field, with the former narrowly grabbing the runner-up spot for William Haggas and Tom Marquand.
The Richard Hughes -trained progressive sprinter arrived having finished sixth in the Group 3 Prix du Petit Couvert at Longchamp just six days ago and looks set for a return to Paris to contest the Prix de l'Abbaye on Arc weekend.
Speaking on Sky Sports Racing, Hughes, who was enjoying a first group race success as a trainer, said: "She looked nice fresh during the week, so we said we'd take a punt. The reason I wanted to run in France was to get her a run on that track for the Abbaye. I didn't really want to run her in an Abbaye and get beat so we took our chance here."
On future options for his 6/1 winner, Hughes added: "The door is still open for the Abbaye, but she's won a Group 3 so that's the main thing. She's a nice filly for next year."
