Both three-year-old colts ran well at the same course on their first outings of the season in the Group Three MTA NSW Run To The Rose over six furlongs on August 30, with Kumaon [pictured] running on well to take second behind Hallowed Crown and Sarajevo coming home fourth.
Kumaon, trained by John O'Shea and ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, was headed close home to finish third, beaten just over a length, in the mile Group One Moet & Chandon Champagne Stakes at Royal Randwick on April 26.
He was half a neck second in the seven-furlongs Group Two Bowermans Pago Pago Stakes at Rosehill Gardens on March 29, and made a winning debut over five and a half furlongs at the same course in December, 2013.
Sarajevo, also representing John O'Shea and partnered by James McDonald, was hampered on his seasonal return when fourth in the Listed Rosebud Stakes over six furlongs at Randwick on August 9. He also made a winning start to his career with a comfortable victory in a five and a half furlong maiden by just over a length at Randwick-Kensington on April 21.
John O'Shea said: "Kumaon has made beautiful improvement from his first-up run. He has drawn nicely in gate one for a race that is run at speed. I am very happy with the colt and believe he is ready to run a very forward race.
"Sarajevo continues to improve every time he steps out and the last fortnight has been no different. "He gets a gun run from this barrier draw (eight) but we just need the track to dry out a little bit more to have him at his most effective. He goes into the race with a great profile and I expect him to be very competitive."
Kumaon and Sarajevo face 13 rivals headed by Tooheys New Golden Slipper third Bring Me The Maid, dual Group Three scorer Hallowed Crown and Group One Tatts Group J J Atkins winner Almalad.