Longstanding sprinting duo Recommendation and Mrs Chrissie, key members of the Ciaron Maher stable, are set to make a rare appearance at Flemington this Saturday in a competitive 1100-metre Quality Handicap.
The pair have only raced once each at Flemington in the past. Mrs Chrissie returns to the famous straight for the first time since finishing fifth in a benchmark 70 over the same trip in May 2023, while Recommendation’s sole run down the straight resulted in a third-place finish in the Listed Century Stakes (1000m).
Although more familiar with Caulfield, the pair will take on the Flemington straight before returning to their usual stomping ground. Maher’s assistant trainer Jack Turnbull is optimistic both horses will handle the unique conditions.
“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 five-year-old son of Shalaa, will be racing outside of Stakes company for the first time since last year’s Country Discovery. He’s looking to preserve his flawless second-up record, having won four from four in that scenario.
Most recently, he ran a credible race when finishing just over 2-1/2 lengths off the winner in the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes (1100m) on May 31. Turnbull is confident the horse has returned in good order, though now carries a greater weight burden than in previous seasons.
“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,” he said.
“He looks fantastic and is showing no signs of being any different.”
Mrs Chrissie resumes after a disappointing showing at Morphettville in the Group 3 Irwin Stakes on April 12, where she was beaten a long way behind star sprinter Asfoora.
“I think the travel and the weather that day really got the better of her,” Turnbull explained.
“She clearly wasn’t at her best, so we were pretty keen just to back off and reset.
“Her three prior to that Adelaide race were OK without being amazing. In hindsight, she was definitely not at her best that prep but if she gets back to it, (it’s a) different ball game.”
Saturday’s card at Flemington also features the $150,000 The David Bourke, a qualifier for the Winter Championship Final, along with heats of the Creswick Sprint Series, Silver Bowl Series, and Mahogany Series for promising three-year-old stayers.
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