Turf Talk: Mill Reef Stakes could take a back seat as Smart considers sales-race option for Alicante Dawn

As the Equiano colt only cost 5,000 guineas last October, even with his 8lb penalty for a Listed win at Ripon he would not be weighted out of contention at Newmarket on October 1 in the £150,000 Tatersalls October Auction Sales race.

“Alicante Dawn could go for the Mill Reef, but he’s also in the sales race for horses bought out of Book Three at Tattersalls,” said Smart.

“Given I still own him, that could be a serious option as he only cost 5,000. I know he’ll have a penalty now, but that just means Connor (Beasley) will be able to ride him anyway. It’s certainly worth considering.

“We’ve had plenty of offers for him, but I’ve been very open in telling people he’s had sore shins and, as yet, he’s still mine.”

Another Listed winner recently for Smart was Alpha Delphini in the Beverley Bullet and he has a possible date at Newbury on September 17.

“Alpha Delphini could go for the Group Three Dubai International Airport World Trophy Stakes at Newbury.” said Smart.

“I’ve been very happy with him since Beverley and I’ll look to start him back cantering soon.

“He had a hard race, but he gives himself a hard race really as he never wins by very far.”

l Robin Of Navan will not run in Saturday’s Ladbrokes St Leger at Doncaster.

Harry Dunlop’s stable star was a Group One winner in France last year and looked set for another profitable campaign when he was second in a Group Two at Saint-Cloud in May.

However, he picked up an injury in the French Derby and did not run again until posting a pleasing comeback effort with second place in the September Stakes at Kempton last Saturday.

“We don’t want to damage all the good work we’ve put into him,” said Dunlop.

SOBOT’S SELECTIONS

CARLISLE: 1.50 San Cassiano, 2.20 Dandy Place, 2.50 Hiawassee, 3.25 Cuttin’ Edge, 4.00 Loaded, 4.35 Bling King, 5.05 Bell Weir.

DONCASTER: 2.00 Akhlaaq (next best), 2.30 Andok, 3.00 THESME (NAP), 3.35 Hijran, 4.10 Battlement, 4.45 Landwade Lad, 5.15 Outrage.

KEMPTON: 5.25 Caitie, 5.55 Varun’s Bride, 6.25 Let’s Twist, 6.55 Gulland Rock, 7.25 Iconic Sky, 7.55 Gravity Wave, 8.25 In Ken’s Memory, 8.55 Rubensian.

UTTOXETER: 2.10 Policy Breach, 2.40 Move To The Groove, 3.15 Hag Stone, 3.50 Low Key, 4.20 Kinari, 4.55 Summer Storm.