Chasm Delivers Connors His 'greatest Day By Far'
The Sunday Age
Sunday November 16, 2008
THERE were no group1 races on yesterday's Sandown Classic program but Caulfield trainer Heath Connors is confident he has a future group1 horse on his hands after the last-to-first win of Chasm ($3.90 favourite) in the group3 Sandown Stakes (1500metres).
In his fifth year as a trainer, Chasm gave Connors, son of leading Sydney trainer Clarrie Connors, his first group success. "I've had a few (group) placings and a few disappointments but today is the greatest day by far," he said.Connors has now had Chasm for two preparations for the remarkable record of six wins, a second and a fourth from eight starts. Chasm previously had three starts for a win in a maiden at Horsham.Chasm ran down the outside to grab Marching on the line, while Orbit Express held on for third."I think next season he can be a group1 horse. He is still untapped and I am still trying to work him out," Connors said.Connors, whose father has had many top class horses pass through the stables, said Chasm had many similar qualities. "He's nice and relaxed and just a real professional, just like most of Dad's best ones," he said.Connors said he said he would contemplate backing the horse up in the Eclipse Stakes (2100m) at Sandown next week."He would have to pull up 110% but it will not be an over strong race and if he can run out a strong 2100m it will give us a great guide as to where we go next campaign," he said.The win also brought up a trifecta of group successes for jockey Jason Benbow who had won the group1 Emirates Stakes on Sky Cuddle in 2005 and the group2 Yallambee Stud Stakes on Diplomatic Force in Adelaide earlier this year.
© 2008 The Sunday Age
