Richard Hughes breaks Group-race duck - and now sets his sights on Abbaye for No Half Measures

Richard Hughes had a lump in his throat after No Half Measures provided the Lambourn trainer with a breakthrough success at Group 3 level in the Dubai International Airport World Trophy.

Hughes, one-time leading rider at Newbury, launched his training career in 2015 and joked that it was "about time" he saddled his first Group-race winner.

No Half Measures has been a success story for her trainer and owner Richard Gallagher this season, going from a handicap rating of 73 in April to landing a Group 3, and could bid for success at the highest level next.

"She's come from humble beginnings but just keeps improving and there's no reason for it," said Hughes. "We throw her out in the field every day and she's just so easy."

Victory came just six days after No Half Measures finished on the heels of the leaders in the Group 3 Prix du Petit Couvert at Longchamp and a return trip to Paris awaits. 

"I decided we'd roll the dice and take a chance today," said Hughes. "She's in the Abbaye and the reason I ran her last weekend was because I wanted her to have a try on that track.

"She was drawn ten and got shuffled back to halfway. She was only beaten three-quarters of a length at the line but finished sixth and didn't get her Group 3 place, which is important for a filly, so we said we'd take our chance today, especially when the rain came."

Asked if she was a legitimate contender for the Abbaye, Hughes added: "If she got a good draw, you'd have to say she'd have a chance. She's been brilliant and is a great filly."

Striking debut for Stem

Owner Johnny de la Hey might be looking forward to the return of Pic D'Orhy and Captain Teague over jumps but he may have to consider big-race targets on the Flat first after Stem made a striking debut for the owner in division one of the 7f novice. 

A €120,000 purchase from the breeze-up sale in May, Stem made light work of testing conditions to power home nine and a half lengths clear of his nearest rival under Ryan Moore.

"We were hoping to get him on the track quite quickly from the breeze-ups but Richard Hannon kept saying he needed more time and we've been as patient as we can," said the owner.

"We went down there last week and he surprised everyone with how well he worked. After that we were hoping he'd run well today. Ryan said he'd get a mile-plus eventually and that was great. We're having a lot of fun on the Flat and we'll see how we go."

Murphy magic

Oisin Murphy's day got off to a slow start when three of his first four rides were ruled out because of heavy ground, but the champion jockey elect dominated the second half of the card, winning the last three races aboard Make You Smile, Movie Maker and Atlantic Gamble.

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