Milan Breeders` Cup possible

Rothmans Royals St Leger winner Milan emerged as a surprise contender today for the Breeders` Cup Turf in New York on Saturday week.

Aidan O`Brien`s colt will form part of a raiding party of seven from Ballydoyle for the prestigious meeting at Belmont Park, with stablemates Galileo and Black Minnaloushe set to tackle the Classic.

Darley July Cup hero Mozart goes for the Sprint, unbeaten Johannesburg for the Juvenile, Sophisticat for the fillies` equivalent, and Bach will be aimed at the Mile.

O`Brien confirmed last week that Milan will stay in training next season as a four-year-old but was undecided on whether he would race again this term after finishing fifth in the Prix de l`Arc de Triomphe-Lucien Barriere on heavy ground at Longchamp.

'He`s a possible for the Turf now,' revealed O`Brien. 'Though he`s by Sadler`s Wells he needs good ground and he didn`t get it in France.

'He`s a big, strong horse and I think he came out of it well. Michael (Kinane) thought he was second-best on the day (in the Arc).

'He should have stayed on the inner and not switched wide.'

O`Brien also confirmed Rock Of Gibraltar may take his chance in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday.

The Danehill colt, owned by Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, hacked up at Longchamp on Arc day in the Grand Criterium-Lucien Barriere.

He had previously been comfortably beaten by Dubai Destination at Doncaster in the Rothmans Royals Champagne Stakes and could renew rivalry with David Loder`s youngster on the Rowley Mile.

'He`s a possible for the Dewhurst,' added O`Brien. 'He came out of his last race very well.'

O`Brien also said that Galileo`s full-brother Black Sam Bellamy, third on his debut at Newmarket earlier this month behind Hathaal, could reappear in a maiden at the track on Friday.

Century City, also third in a Newmarket maiden on his debut, is yet another promising O`Brien colt and he could take up one of three engagements, again at Newmarket, the same day.

Beckett and Hawk Eye are set to represent O`Brien in the Dubai Champion Stakes over 10 furlongs on Saturday.

Beckett was impressive when winning a Listed event over a mile at Newmarket on his latest run, while Hawk Eye chased home Summoner and Noverre over the same trip in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on his previous outing.

'He`s improved with every run and is still going forward,' said O`Brien of Beckett.