
Horse Racing: Gail Temperton has two-pronged attack in Foxton Cup
Race horse Royal Flower in action.
Foxton trainer Gail Temperton will have two winning chances in the postponed Foxton New World Foxton Cup (2100m) at Hāwera today but each of her representatives have two very different paths ahead of them.
Royal Flower is dropping back from stakes grade after placing in the Group 3 Manawatū Breeders' Stakes (2050m) at Whanganui last month and Temperton has been pleased with her this time, having placed in her last two outings following a five-month break from racing.
'She always does her best and she will do her best again [today],' said Temperton.
'She's pretty consistent. I'd like her to go up a notch but there's just nothing for her at the moment. She had a big holiday when the tracks were hard because she doesn't like them rock-hard and she hadn't had a holiday for a long time.
'It's unfortunate because by the time she is back in and ready, there really isn't a lot of good racing for her. She wasn't up to the Travis Stakes [Group 2, 2000m] but she is somewhere in the middle.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


NZ Herald
17-05-2025
- NZ Herald
Brazilian jockey Bruno Queiroz making his mark in Central Districts
Knights Realm, Bradman and Khanshe were strung across the track as Francee joined in to thrust her head in front in the final bound and collect her maiden black-type success. Co-trainer Mark Walker was delighted to see the mare pick up the thick end of the stake, along with the black-type and other benefits that go with the victory. 'She tries really hard and it is just great for Haunui Farm, the Chitty family and everyone involved with her,' Walker said. 'I actually watched the race here in Melbourne and not long after I got a call from Caroline Chitty, who was just so thrilled with what the mare had achieved. 'It really hits home why you participate in this industry when you get recognition like that and the win couldn't have happened for a nicer group of people.' Walker was also pleased about the effort from Queiroz, a talent he had seen first-hand when training in Singapore. 'It was a tremendous ride from Bruno as he had her in the right place and was strong on her in the closing stages,' he said. 'We are lucky to have these experienced international riders coming to New Zealand and you can see just what they bring to the saddle in everything they do. 'We will sit down and talk with Mark [Chitty] about where we go now but I think this might have been an excellent grand final for her. She could well be off to the paddock before the Chitty family have a think about whether she comes back for another campaign or goes to the broodmare barn.' Francee carries the silks of co-breeder and owner Haunui Farm and is a daughter of 10-win mare Calveen. A serious talent on the track, among Calveen's victories were the Group 1 Easter Handicap (1600m), Group 2 Japan Trophy (1600m), Group 2 Travis Stakes (2000m) and Group 2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes (1400m). She also placed in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield. Francee has now won four of her 22 starts and more than $215,000 in prizemoney.


NZ Herald
10-05-2025
- NZ Herald
Nigella Lane outruns Dark Destroyer for ‘deserved' Rotorua Cup victory
Rugged mare Nigella Lane got the big race win she has deserved all season when she ground down gallant pacemaker Dark Destroyer to take out the Listed Campbell Infrastructure Rotorua Cup (2200m) on Saturday. The Ralph Manning-prepared daughter of Niagara has been a model of consistency without tasting victory in her last five starts with placings in the Listed Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes (1600m), Listed Kaimai Stakes (2000m) and an unlucky runner-up finish in the Manawatū Breeders' Stakes (2050m) after winning the Thames Cup (1600m) at Te Aroha in January. Adept on all surfaces, rider Kelly Myers was happy to sit the mare towards the rear of a compact field before weaving between runners approaching the home turn. Veteran galloper Dark Destroyer had adopted the unusual role of pacemaker and was making a great fist of things as he swung for home with a two-length margin on his nearest rival, including Nigella Lane, who was charging into the fray. Dark Destroyer showed plenty of fight but had to yield to Nigella Lane at the 100m and she went on to win by a long neck with New Plymouth visitor Our Jumala also finishing strongly to take third.


NZ Herald
09-05-2025
- NZ Herald
Foxton Cup quinella provides trainer with special result: John Jenkins
A delighted Gayle Temperton and successful jockey Liam Kauri following Royal Flower's game win in last Tuesday's $25,000 Foxton Cup at Hawera. OPINION Foxton trainer Gail Temperton scored a popular result at Hawera on Tuesday when taking out the quinella in her local cup, the Foxton New World Foxton Cup (2100m). Group 3 performer Royal Flower was dropping back from