New Stakes-Winner for Stratum

Melbourne – Lightly raced Stratum gelding Unpretentious produced a storming run to zoom home from back in the field and win the Listed VRC MSS Security Sprint at Flemington on Cup Day.

Prepared by Nikki Burke, Unpretentious was tuned up with a recent Cranbourne barrier trial and was fit, but fresh for this 1200 metre dash.

He settled at the rear for Craig Williams from a wide gate and let loose with a big sprint over the final furlong to charge home and win by three-quarters of a length, his overall record now three wins and two seconds from nine starts with prizemoney of $152,125.

“I’m so proud of him and glad everyone could see what he can do, when he got to the clock tower we knew he was home,” Nikki Burke said.

“I must thank the owners, who have been very patient and it’s all panned out.”

Passed in shy of his $60,000 reserve when offered by Three Bridges Thoroughbreds at the 2010 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, Unpretentious was retained to race by his breeder Shane Stiles and is the second winner for Favorite Trick (USA) mare Alisa Free, a half-sister to Group I winner Rockabubble.

Unpretentious is the 14th stakes-winner for Stratum, who is in hot form this season with some 50 plus Australian winners to his credit.