Caulfield trainer Brendan McCarthy has used his hands to mould Group One performer Chasm into a winner for the first time in more than 2-1/2 years.
Formerly trained by Heath Conners, Chasm was having his first start for McCarthy in Saturday’s Listed Doveton Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield and stormed home from near last to win in a four-way photo-finish.
Chasm winning the Robert Taranto Doveton Stakes at Caulfield - photo by Race Horse Photos Australia
He beat Stirling Grove by a nose with the favourite First Command a long head back in third place and Second Effort another nose away fourth.
Chasm’s win was his first since the Listed Auckland Racing Club Handicap at Flemington on Anzac Day in 2009.
He has won nine of his 40 starts but his biggest success was the Group Three Sandown Stakes in November 2008.
He has also been stakes-placed on another 10 occasions including when on the losing end of three-way photo in the 2010 Group One Emirates Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.
His form fell away when Conners moved from Caulfield to Geelong a year ago but back in familiar surroundings he has thrived.
Owner Neil Wilson suspected Chasm was homesick but McCarthy also used his chiropractic talents to make some adjustments to Chasm’s back which appears to have done the trick.
McCarthy used to be Chasm’s chiropractor when Conners was based at Caulfield and Wilson decided he was the best person to get the horse right again.
McCarthy said Chasm had two weeks in a paddock where he manipulated the gelding’s back before joining his stable and making another adjustment.
“Luckily Heath looked after him all the way through and we got him at the right time,” McCarthy said.
“He ran a terrific race today.
“He looked like being blocked a couple of times there but he got through and finished it off well.
“Hopefully we will be able to step him up into the better races now.”
The Listed John Dillon Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on January 26 is a likely target before he tackles the Group One Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 11.
Jockey Chris Symons said Chasm felt like a new horse.
“He was bouncing out of his skin going to the gates,” Symons said.
“I was a little bit worried at the furlong (200m) but when everything opened up he just bounced through, put his ears back and had a real crack.”
AAP TURF
