Doncaster Mile plans have been shelved for talented four-year-old Chasm who will instead be aimed at Melbourne's late autumn features.Trainer Heath Conners said he decided to lower his sights after Chasm was beaten at his last two starts, the Group Three Newcastle Newmarket and Group Two Ajax Stakes at Rosehill."He had to come out and win those races and win them comfortably to go to the Doncaster which is a much harder race," Conners said.TAB Sportsbet on Monday still had Chasm quoted at $26 fo
Doncaster Mile plans have been shelved for talented four-year-old Chasm who will instead be aimed at Melbourne's late autumn features.
Trainer Heath Conners said he decided to lower his sights after Chasm was beaten at his last two starts, the Group Three Newcastle Newmarket and Group Two Ajax Stakes at Rosehill.
"He had to come out and win those races and win them comfortably to go to the Doncaster which is a much harder race," Conners said.
TAB Sportsbet on Monday still had Chasm quoted at $26 for the Doncaster Mile at Randwick on April 18.
Conners confirmed that Chasm would now run in Saturday's Group Three Victoria Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield and back up in the Listed Auckland Racing Club Handicap (1600m) at Flemington on Anzac Day.
"Between the two races they are worth $250,000 and they suit him," Conners said.
He said Chasm, with a 101 rating, would be well treated at the weights in the Victoria Handicap with Douro Valley (112), Tears I Cry (106), Pinnacles (104), Falaise (104), Cocinero (103), Skiddaw Peak (102) and Stanzout (102) all rated above him.
"Weight-wise I thought he would get 57kg but he will end up with about 54.5kg which I am not going to complain about," Conners said.
Chasm has won seven of his 15 starts and gave Conners his most important success when he landed the Group Three Sandown Stakes (1500) last November.
The gelding has had four runs this campaign and he chased home Solo Flyer when second in the Newcastle Newmarket and again when third in the Ajax.
"He is rock hard fit and coming back from a Group Two so he should run well this week," Conners said.
"He handled racing the Sydney way but is a far better horse in Melbourne."
Conners said Chasm's next two starts would round out his campaign.
Meanwhile, leading owner Lloyd Williams is considering extending the autumn campaign of Melbourne Cup placegetter C'est La Guerre who is entered for Saturday's Easter Cup (2000m).
Williams has also nominated in-form stayer Renewable.
Trained by John Sadler, C'est La Guerre has turned in moderate performances at his two starts this campaign, finishing fifth in both the Group Two Blamey Stakes and Melbourne BMW Handicap at Caulfield.
At 111, he is clearly the highest rated nomination in the Easter Cup, ahead of Light Vision (106) and Blutigeroo (105).
Blutigeroo's stablemate Ista Kareem (103) is nominated for both the Easter Cup and the Chairman's Handicap (2600m) at Randwick on Saturday.