Shultzy's remarkable career continues at nine years old

Pat Cannon, a trainer with an extensive history in the thoroughbred racing world, currently manages just a single horse.

This horse is Shultzy, who was scratched from a recent engagement at Geelong on Wednesday and is now scheduled to participate in the Listed RM Ansett Classic (2400m) at Mornington on Saturday.

Shultzy has been a significant figure in Cannon's stable since joining as a two-year-old. Now, at the age of nine, he has accumulated 65 starts, achieving nine wins and ten second-place finishes, proving he remains competitive.

Cannon credits Shultzy's enduring racing career to his intimate knowledge of the horse.

"He's been sensational for me," Cannon said.

"I got him as an early two-year-old and he's nine now, so he's been around the stables for a long time."

"I think being spoilt is one thing as to his longevity, but when you're a small trainer, I just know him inside and out."

"When he's sore, I know when he's feeling something and we usually work on it."

"He is a high energy horse but doesn't need the hard work and the vets and farriers have had a lot to do with his longevity because he's got kissing-spine."

"We haven't had to operate on it, we've been able to treat it."

"In the middle of his prep, he was missing the kick by a long way, and that was because of the kissing-spine, which was enough to stop him jumping."

"When they power off, that's when it really hurts them."

In July, Shultzy carried a weight of 60kg to victory at Sandown. His most recent outing saw him finish second to the talented Leonchroi, who will also be a competitor on Saturday, at Sandown on September 2.

Prior to that, he had stretched Nearco Frod, who later secured a win at Flemington in early August, before experiencing EIPH and finishing last in The Archer at Flemington on September 12.

"Leonchroi is more effective on the firmer deck than we are, but we've sparred with him a couple of times and also with Nearco Frod, and once he should have beaten him," Cannon said.

"The form all around him is good, so here's hoping on Saturday." Consider exploring the available racing betting markets for Saturday's contest.