Trainer Heath Conners is hoping Chasm's last start defeat will spur him to a long overdue victory in the Listed Chester Manifold Stakes at Flemington.Conners said the six-year-old was "dirty" about finishing second to Ahdashim in the Standish Handicap (1200m) on New Year's Day and he took a couple of days to getting over the loss."If I ever had a horse dirty on getting beaten it was him on Standish day," Conners said."He was filthy when he got back in the stalls after the race and when I took hi

Trainer Heath Conners is hoping Chasm's last start defeat will spur him to a long overdue victory in the Listed Chester Manifold Stakes at Flemington.

Conners said the six-year-old was "dirty" about finishing second to Ahdashim in the Standish Handicap (1200m) on New Year's Day and he took a couple of days to getting over the loss.

"If I ever had a horse dirty on getting beaten it was him on Standish day," Conners said.

"He was filthy when he got back in the stalls after the race and when I took him off the float at Geelong he had his ears pricked, his tail up in the air, and was kicking out.

"The next morning he was exactly the same."

Conners said after working for his father, leading Sydney trainer Clarry Conners, he believes top horses know they are good and when they have won.

"I think that is what makes them stand out," Conners said.

A proven Group One performer, Chasm, is not unlike some of those horses.

Last spring he was on the losing end of a three-way photo finish to Wall Street and Dao Dao in the Emirates Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.

Conners said he reviewed plans to make the Standish Chasm's last run before the Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on March 12 and that the Manifold (1400m) was a chance for the gelding to win his first race since the Auckland Racing Club Handicap (1610m) at Flemington on Anzac Day in 2009.

"I just want him to have a bit of luck," Conners said.

In the Standish he had to come sideways and go backwards to get out."

Conners said after the Manifold Chasm would take on the Group One horses in the Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 12 and the Newmarket.

"The Orr would be a very hard race but at least he will be rock hard fit for it," Conners said.

Damien Oliver replaces Ben Melham on Chasm, who has drawn the inside barrier.

Inside draws have been good to Chasm in the past with him posting five wins and four placings from 12 starts from gates one to three.

A winner of eight of 30 starts and more than $650,000 in prize money, the chestnut is generally a backmarker.

But Conners said he was capable of taking a position in the front half of the field and still a sprinting home strongly.

Chasm is $4 favourite with TAB Sportsbet for the Manifold ahead of Keano ($5.50) and last start Flemington winner Orbit Express ($7).