Charlie Hills is confident Iberian can put his Dewhurst defeat behind him and show his true worth next season.
Following a smooth Group Two success in Doncaster’s Champagne Stakes, the son of Lope De Vega was sent off as second favourite behind City Of Troy at Newmarket.
However, he finished nine lengths adrift of Aidan O’Brien’s impressive winner, fading back into sixth in the latter stages.
Hills still believes Iberian heads into the winter break as a bright prospect for 2024, though.
The trainer told Sky Sports Racing: “We were left scratching our heads a little bit, because his work had been really good leading up to the race.
“I don’t know, he never really seemed to get on a proper even keel; the track and that ground, obviously they had a lot of rain there and he just kept pitching a little bit on some of those ridges.
“I actually thought he did well to come and look like he was going to finish second at one stage. He made up some ground and then I think on the rising ground, he didn’t really see out that last furlong.
“Look, he hasn’t had many runs but it’s been a long season and it comes quite late that race now, so we’ll bring him home and I haven’t lost any faith in this horse. I think he’s a super horse and I look forward to his three-year-old career.”
Hills will be watching the weather again this week with regards to shock Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes scorer Khaadem returning to Ascot for Saturday’s Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes.
He commented: “We’ll see how much rain comes because he wouldn’t want it too soft and there was a lot of rain last week, so it’s not going to dry up too quickly at this time of year.”
