Tom Clover will have two runners across the Middle East on Saturday as Rogue Lightning targets the H.H. The Amir Sword Festival in Doha and Tabletalk lines up in Riyadh on Saudi Cup night.
Rogue Lighting won the Dukhan Sprint Cup in Qatar last year when the meeting was relocated from Doha to Al Uqda, after which he travelled to America to finish second in the Grade Two Shakertown Stakes.
He begins his campaign this season with a return to warmer climes and Clover is pleased with his preparation as he bids to retain the local Group Three title for owners Wathnan Racing.
The trainer said: “He is a lovely horse and he looks to be in good shape going back there. We had a right-handed racecourse gallop to get him to go around the bend and he seemed to enjoy that so I am pleased with his training.
“It was fantastic to win the Dukhan Sprint last year, and to do it for the Emir at home with him in attendance made it more special. The experience was great and it was a day we will always remember.”
On the same day Tabletalk will contest the highly valuable Red Sea Turf Handicap at Riyadh during the Saudi Cup meeting.
The four-year-old placed in a raft of Group contests last term and now steps marginally up in trip on his first outing of the year.
Clover told Great British Racing International: “Tabletalk was placed on nearly all his starts last year. He ran second in two very good races early in the year at Newbury in Group Three company.
“Then at Royal Ascot he was not beaten overly far despite a difficult draw. We were expecting a bit more in his last two races but he still ran well to finish in the placings.
“The way he won the Melrose Handicap at the York Ebor Festival in 2024 makes me confident the horse should do well over the one mile and seven furlongs in the Red Sea Turf Handicap. It is still a question mark as he’s never been over that trip but I feel it should work in his favour.
“He has been gelded towards the end of last year, which I think should help him in his travelling and we can target him at major international meetings. The Saudi Cup is a great spectacle to be a part of during our winter here in Britain and the Red Sea Turf is a very valuable handicap.”
