While Motspur is staring down the barrel of being a nine-year-old gelding, his trainer Kris Lees is confident that retirement is a far away prospect.

The trainer believes that Motspur has continued to improve as a race horse over the past racing season and has much more left in the tank.

With a gutsy third placing in the Listed Ramornie Handicap at Grafton last week, Motspur is proving he is over his reoccurring shoulder injury.

“Over his career he’s had about three six-month spells due to a few shoulder injuries,” Lees said.

“There were a few times we thought that might be the end of him but probably in some ways having those long breaks has contributed to his longevity.

“I think this season has probably been close to his best.”

Motspur’s next assignment will be in the At Sea Handicap at Warwick Farm this Saturday, where he will take on the talented Rain Affair.

Apprentice Blake Spriggs has been called in to claim against the 59 kilograms Motspur has been assigned.

“He’s a big, strong horse that can carry weight but with the two-kilo claim it just makes him a bit better off against some of the opposition,” Lees said.

“Blake has ridden him before and had some success as well.”