Heath Conners is looking to kick next year off on a high from his new Geelong training base with stablemates Chasm and Davcon in the feature races at Flemington.Both horses reflect a frustrating 18 months for Conners who hopes the new surroundings on the Geelong track can reignite his career after a split with Aquanita Racing."I have been here about 12 days and I'm very happy," Conners said."It is a very quiet, relaxed atmosphere and the horses have settled in very well."Topweight Chasm is chasi

Heath Conners is looking to kick next year off on a high from his new Geelong training base with stablemates Chasm and Davcon in the feature races at Flemington.

Both horses reflect a frustrating 18 months for Conners who hopes the new surroundings on the Geelong track can reignite his career after a split with Aquanita Racing.

"I have been here about 12 days and I'm very happy," Conners said.

"It is a very quiet, relaxed atmosphere and the horses have settled in very well."

Topweight Chasm is chasing his first win in 20 months in Saturday's Group Three Standish Handicap (1200m) while Davcon is trying to end an 18-month drought in the Listed Bagot Handicap (2800m).

Chasm showed in the spring he had recovered from hamstring and back injuries with competitive performances at the top level which included a last-start third to Wall Street and Dao Dao in the Group One Emirates Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.

He also posted Group-race thirds to Hay List in the Gilgai Stakes (1200m) at Flemington and to Kenny's World in the Cameron Handicap (1300m) at Newcastle.

His other Flemington run last spring was in the Group Two Salinger Stakes (1200m) when a close fourth to Whitefriars.

"He's been running against Group One horses or in Group One races and we have had this race in mind for him since the spring," Conners said.

"A lot of bad luck would have to go our way, I think, for him to get beaten.

"If he gets a clear run from about the 400 metres he should be coming over the top of them."

Last week Chasm caught the attention of track watchers when he easily won a jumpout at Geelong by five lengths.

"The horse is going terrific," Conners said.

"He is as good as he has been for the last six months."

The winner of eight of his 29 starts and more than $600,000 in stakes, Chasm is using the Standish as a bridge to much grander riches, including a tilt at the Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on March 12.

Longer range the goals are the Doomben 10,000 and the Stradbroke Handicap for the Brisbane winter.

Conners is confident Davcon can run well in the Bagot despite being untried at the distance.

He said last start at Flemington, Davcon blew the start but he was happy with the way he ran on to finish fifth to Butwaittheresmore over 2500 metres.

"I thought he ran a good race," Conners said.

"When you are that far off them you are not going to pick them up but his sectionals were as good as the winner's.

"He kept coming home and never slowed up so I don't think the distance is going to worry him."

Conners said he was hoping Davcon would train on after the Bagot and plans to run him in the Hobart and Launceston Cups in February.