Nikki Burke In Box Seat To Lead Sale Onslaught

Cranbourne trainer Nikki Burke will descend on Sale Racecourse today with an army of four horses.

Amongst her talented group of runners is Unpretentious, who will be having his debut run in the Iplex Pipelines SV 3YO Handicap.

Unpretentious has shown promising talent in his recent trials.

“He’s trialled nicely,” Burke said.

“I couldn’t be happier with him.”

Despite his natural ability, the three-year-old is yet to fully mature.

“He does do a lot wrong… so he probably does need a couple of goes at the races,” Burke said.

“He’s got no gate speed at all.

“He’s a real baby (so this is) a nice track for him to start off with.

“He’s got a lot of growing to do and a lot of developing; he’s a late November foal.

“(But the) time’s come for him to go to the races and I’m sure he’ll take a lot from the race today.”

Burke will also run Red Hustler in the Elson Australasia Country Showcase Handicap in Race 7.

The six-year-old gelding has battled knee soreness for the majority of his racing career, but is currently pain-free.

“He’s been a great horse for us,” Burke said.

“He’s been a horse that’s had really sore knees all his life.

“He’s probably coming to end of his career.”

The trainer is hopeful Red Hustler’s impressive record at Sale will continue to stand after today’s run.

“He’s never ever ran a bad race at Sale,” she said.

Four-year-old gelding Mudslide will run at Sale today for the first time since contracting an illness last month.

“He came home sick after his last run at Sale (on July 17)” Burke said.

“He’s all good now and he’s worked nicely.”

Finally, Burke’s five-year-old Reassemble is due to run in the last race of the day.

The Reset gelding will be first-up in the Pipemakers Country Showcase Handicap after taking a long four-month spell over winter.

Burke is optimistic about Reassemble’s winning chances.

“He always runs fresh,” she said.

“1200 should be ideal for him and he trialled well the other day.”

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