3 minute read

The Rogues Gallery Racing Club syndicate members will be hoping they can pull off a memorable Paris raid this weekend, with both Rogue Millennium and Rogue Lightning set to gun for Group 1 glory.

Star filly Rogue Millennium will bid to break her Group 1 duck in the ten-furlong Prix de l'Opera, whilst Rogue Lightning features among the entries for the Prix de l'Abbaye.

Speaking on Sky Sports Racing, trainer Tom Clover said: "It's very exciting to be going over for Arc Day with two runners in Group 1 races for Rogues Gallery.

"They are a great syndicate and it's a huge thrill to be going out there. The Rogues Gallery have been with us for four years or so now and they are a great bunch – it's just a fantastic syndicate.

"They are a great group of people who are really good friends and have just had a fantastic journey with a couple of cracking horses in Rogue Millennium and Rogue Lightning.

"To be going to Arc day with two horses who cost around £80,000 between them is just fantastic.

"They've got people from all over, including the Isle of Man and Ireland, and there's a huge variety, with even Rishi Persad one of the 'Rogues'. I think there's around 90 members going over, so it will be a fair old raid on Paris and we're looking forward to having a good time."

The Rogues Gallery Racing Club already enjoyed something most owners can only dream of when Rogue Millennium landed the Group 2 Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot, and she arguably bettered that form with a fine second behind the top-class Irish Guineas winner Tahiyra in the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown last time.

Returning to Longchamp will also pose no issues with the daughter of Dubawi already posting a credible effort in defeat in the Prix Allez France over course and distance earlier in the season.

Clover added: "I'm really pleased with her, she just seems to thrive on racing,"

"She's certainly an improving filly and her form over course and distance looks really strong.

"It was an amazing day to go over to Leopardstown and finish second behind Tahiyra, when she travelled so strongly through the race and hit the line really strong.

"She seems in really good form. We're pretty versatile in terms of the ground, but it will be fantastic to see top-class racing on good ground."

Connections rolled the dice with progressive sprinter Rogue Lightning, who passed the step up to Listed company with flying colours when a ready winner of the Scarbrough Stakes at Doncaster last start.

A further sizeable step up in grade looks on the cards with a tilt at the Group 1 Prix de l'Abbaye firmly on the agenda this weekend.

"It's a tough race but he's up to 110 after winning a Listed race last time and he looks an improving sprinter," said Clover.

"Danny [Tudhope], who rode him last time out, said he is really fast, and he's just been learning on the job.

"He can seem a little green when getting to the front but then the way he put the race to bed up to the line in that last half a furlong was quite impressive, we felt.

"With the sprinting division being pretty open this year, we thought why not have a go? The sprinters seem to be taking it in turn to win these races this year, so he deserves to take his chance.

"He came out of the race in fantastic form and a strong-run race like the Abbaye should suit him.

"It's a massive step up to go for a Group 1, but on the ratings, you can make a case for him and some of his sectionals and fractions this year have been very good. He's a horse we've always held in high regard."

Paddy Power make both Rogue Millennium and Rogue Lightning 8/1 chances to claim their respective Group 1 targets this weekend.