Friday, 11 May 2012: Showing that age clearly is not wearying him, the gelding marked his return to the Kris Lees stable with another barrier trial success today – at Cessnock – as he tuned up for a “title defence” at Scone next week
The resilient sprinter, partnered by Andrew Gibbons, won his 800m trial on the course proper in 45.93secs – easily the quickest of the session.
And he did it easily.
Cameren Swan rode
Motspur when he also won an 800m trial at Wyong on April 27.
After today's trial, trainer Kris Lees confirmed the veteran was on target for another shot at next Saturday's $120,000 Prydes Easifeed Quality (1100m) at the Scone carnival.
Motspur won last year's race Listed event first-up – and Lees is adopting the same tactics after
Motspur returned to Newcastle following an unsuccessful four-race Tasmanian campaign during summer.
The Scone assignment will be the gelding's 50th start – and he has already won 11 races and earned prizemoney of $535,360.
“He is certainly a remarkable old horse,” Lees said after the Cessnock trial.
“Importantly, he still has a real zest for racing.”
Lees said the reason for
Motspur's career longevity was the fact that he was so lightly raced earlier in his career because of injury problems.
“He actually sustained a separation of his shoulder on three occasions, and each time it required a six months break.
“Also, we gelded him between his four and five-year-old seasons because he lost form whilst a stallion.
“He races well fresh and is in great order. The Scone race looks a perfect start to another campaign.”
After winning that race 12 months ago,
Motspur was subsequently placed in both the Takeover Target Stakes (1200m) at Gosford and Ramornie Handicap (1200m) at Grafton.
Last year's Cessnock Jungle Juice Cup winner Youthful King is also on target for this year's July 3 edition.
Ridden by Robert Thompson, the six-year-old won a 900m trial narrowly but impressively today as trainer Jeremy Sylvester readies him for another campaign.
