Sarajevo For Fred Best Classic

Time/Date - 16.32hrs local time/Saturday, May 23, 2015
Racecourse/Country - Doomben/Australia
Surface/Distance- Turf/6f 156y

Sarajevo steps back up in class for the Group Three Suez Environnement Fred Best Classic over nearly seven furlongs at Doomben, Australia, on Saturday, May 23.

The John O'Shea-trained three-year-old stayed on well to take second on his return from a break in the Listed IPG Connect Mick Dittman Plate over six furlongs at the same course on May 9.

He failed to get competitive in the seven-furlong Group Three Hyland Colours Autumn Stakes at Caufield on February 14 but scored comfortably in a Rosehill Gardens handicap over a furlong shorter on January 31.

The son of Lonhro ran two good races at Rosehill Gardens earlier this season, coming home sixth over seven furlongs in the Group One De Bortoli Golden Rose Stakes in September and taking fourth in the six-furlong Group Three MTA NSW Run To The Rose in August.

John O'Shea commented: "Sarajevo has had an extremely good preparation. On Tuesday morning, he galloped well on the outside of the course proper at Doomben.

"He has got the right form lines for this race but, unfortunately, he has drawn gate 14.

"I am going to advise James McDonald to be a bit more positive on Sarajevo out of the gates and see if he can't put him into the race because, if he goes back in the field, he will have almost no chance."

James McDonald again partners Sarajevo, who meets 15 other three-year-olds including Group Three Hawkesbury Guineas winner Najoom, Group Two Arrowfield 3YO Sprint third Rekindled Power and Group One Schweppes Thousand Guineas runner-up Traveston Girl.