Wathnan and Tom Clover opt for US target over Dubai World Cup night invite for talented sprinter

Classy sprinter Rogue Lightning is set for a first US assignment in the wake of his overseas success in the Wathnan colours in Qatar last month.

The five-year-old was a breakthrough first winner for the Qatari operation in the international races at the Emir's Trophy meeting when landing the local Group 3 Dukhan Sprint from fellow British runners Washington Heights and Quinault.

Tom Clover's speedster can be marked up on that having had to come from widest of all in stall nine under Mickael Barzalona to score comfortably by a length at Al Uqda racecourse.

The success over six furlongs was the first for Roque Lightning since he changed hands for £1 million at the Goffs Qipco Champions Day Sale in 2023.

The gelding was invited to the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup night at Meydan on April 5 but connections have decided on an alternative target on the same day.

Tom Clover after Rogue Lightning's win at Al Uqda racecourseCredit: Edward Whitaker

Clover said: "The plan is to send Rogue Lightning to Keeneland next month where there is the Grade 2 Shakertown Stakes over five and a half furlongs on turf, which should suit him going around a bend. It makes sense to move up in stages to Grade 2 level rather than go straight to a Grade or Group 1 race."

Clover, who rents his bottom yard out to Wathnan's trainer Hamed Al Jehani, added: "Rogue Lightning showed he had no problems with travelling when winning in Qatar, which was a great day for the team. 

"If all goes well at Keeneland, there is a Grade 2 sprint at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby day we could look at but we'll take it a step at a time."

The Shakertown Stakes, which has a purse of $400,000, usually attracts the cream of the US sprinters and has been won by the likes of two-time Breeders' Cup winner Golden Pal in recent years (2022). The Charlie Appleby-trained Mischief Magic, a winner of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint, finished runner-up in it a year ago.

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