Sarajevo Looking For Stakes Success At Flemington

A more suitable barrier and the likelihood of clear running has lifted stable confidence in Sarajevo ahead of the Listed Chester Manifold Stakes at Flemington, Australia, on Saturday, January 16.

Sarajevo (John O'Shea/Craig Williams) has drawn the outside gate in the nine-horse field.

"He's a horse that likes a bit of galloping room and he'll get that," O'Shea said.

"Last time out in a shorter race down the straight he drew inside and never got a look at them until it was too late.

"But when he finally got clear he finished off well. This field doesn't look quite as strong and the 1400 metres should be just right for him."

Sarajevo heads a seven-horse Godolphin contingent in Australia on Saturday with O'Shea to introduce another of his two-year-olds at Randwick where the Medaglia d'Oro colt Tessera makes his racing debut in the Two-Year-Old Plate.

Tessera (James McDonald) has performed encouragingly under race conditions in two trials, the most recent last month when he beat stablemate Solvay without being extended.

"Tessera's a really nice colt who has come on very well since we first had him in the stable last Spring," O'Shea said.

"He's kept on improving and it will be interesting to see how he handles his first day at the races. I expect him to run very well and to improve again from whatever he does."

O'Shea is also expecting another strong performance from Medcaut (James McDonald) who lines up for his third win on end in the Maroubra Mile.

"He won despite the wet track last start. He got there on ability and his great will-to-win," he said.

"It's a similar strength field on Saturday and on his work at home and his natural competitiveness, he'll be in there with a strong chance."

O'Shea said he has been looking forward to the re-appearance of the lightly-raced Painted Firetail (James McDonald) who runs in the Top Ideal SCM Handicap at Randwick.

"She is a very talented filly who has raced nicely at both her starts so far," he said.

"There are a couple of nice horses in the race so I'm looking forward to seeing how she competes because I know there is a fair bit of improvement in her."

The stable will also be represented at Randwick by Progressive (James McDonald) in the Young Farming Champions Handicap and Lassitude (James McDonald) whose appearance in the Pintang Cup depends on the track conditions.

As well as Sarajevo at Flemington, O'Shea has Allergic (Craig Williams) in the Piping Lane Handicap.