Doncaster Saturday

Betfred Champagne Stakes (Group 2)

IBERIAN (Charlie Hills/Tom Marquand) looked a colt with a big future as he landed the Group 2 Champagne Stakes at Doncaster on Saturday.

The 3/1 chance was an impressive debut winner but still green when runner-up to Haatem in the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood, and he was showing improved form to get the better of Sunway (David Menuisier/Oisin Murphy) by two lengths, with uneasy favourite Rosallion (Richard Hannon/Sean Levey) beaten another length and a half in third.

Sunway, well behind Rosallion in the Pat Eddery Stakes at Ascot, made the running and maintained the gallop to the line, but he was passed by Iberian just outside the furlong pole, and could not resist the challenge of the winner.

“That was just what the doctor ordered,” said Hills after the race. “He’s a very exciting horse. Listening to Tom when he came back, he said he gave him some feel, he’s got an electric turn of foot and put the race to bed very well.

“His work had been unbelievable at home, so we just wanted him to show that on a racecourse and I think he’s done that today. He learned plenty at Goodwood (under William Buick), where he was unlucky as he was drawn one. I think William was conscious to teach him how to do things properly, but he was probably just a bit far out of his racing ground that day and inexperience caught him out.

“The ground is still pretty soft today, but when the ground is quicker, I think you’ll see a better horse. It will be the Dewhurst next, and why can’t he be a Guineas horse? He’ll get a mile no problem, his dam stayed really well.”