Ciaron Maher’s reliable sprinters Recommendation and Mrs Chrissie are set to line up at Flemington on Saturday, stepping out for a rare run at the iconic straight track in the 1100-metre Quality Handicap.

Both horses will be making just their second appearance at Flemington. Mrs Chrissie was last seen there in May 2023 when finishing fifth over the same distance, while Recommendation has only once tackled the straight, placing third in the Listed Century Stakes (1000m).

Typically campaigned at Caulfield, the duo will return there after this assignment, but assistant trainer Jack Turnbull sees no reason why they can’t perform at headquarters.

“She’ll be fine and Recommendation is no fool either, so both of ours who we take are going to be well suited,” Turnbull said.

Recommendation, a son of Shalaa, has an outstanding record when second-up, winning all four of his previous attempts. He was last seen finishing a credible fifth in the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on May 31.

“He’s unbeaten second up, he’s four from four, so he needs to put his hand up, naturally, but I guess 12 months on we’re the same horse just in worse at the handicaps,” Turnbull said.

“He looks fantastic and is showing no signs of being any different.”

Mrs Chrissie will be looking to rebound from a below-par effort in the Group 3 Irwin Stakes at Morphettville in April, a run Turnbull believes wasn’t a fair reflection of her ability.

“I think the travel and the weather that day really got the better of her,” he said.

“She clearly wasn’t at her best, so we were pretty keen just to back off and reset.”

Saturday’s Flemington meeting also includes qualifiers for the Winter Championship, as well as heats of the Creswick Sprint, Silver Bowl, and Mahogany Series.

Punters looking to support Recommendation or Mrs Chrissie this weekend can access odds, markets and offers via the best betting sites Australia.

Check out the top online bookmakers for leading promotions and trusted wagering options on all Flemington action.