Trainer James Cummings has revealed that the Group 1 Myer Classic (1600m) at Flemington on Victoria Derby Day could be the major 2014 Spring Racing Carnival goal for Norzita.
Two-time Group 1 winner Norzita is on track to return to the races in the Tramway Stakes at Royal Randwick on September 6. Photo by: Steve Hart
Norzita suffered a soft tissue injury to her off-fore leg in the lead-up to the Group 2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) and the injury has kept her out of racing ever since, but the Thorn Park mare is back in work and heading towards a spring campaign.
Cummings told Racing Ahead that Norzita could return to the races in the Tramway Stakes at Royal Randwick on September 6 and will be included in the entries for the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 25, but may instead be set for a tilt at the Myer Classic.
“She is probably going to have a run or two in Sydney before she goes to Melbourne,” Cummings said.
“She is back doing a little bit more work and we might give her a trial or an exhibition gallop somewhere in the middle of August.
“We are thinking about at this early stage resuming in a race like the Tramway.”
Norzita has shown plenty of talented since she made her racing debut at Gosford in July of 2012 and she has Group 1 victories in the 2012 Flight Stakes (1600m) and 2013 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) on her racing resume.
Cummings admits that it has been a long road getting Norzita back into racing condition, but he is delighted with her attitude and is hopeful that the rising five-year-old can return to her very best during the 2014 Spring Racing Carnival.
“Her leg looks good and she is still a bit hairy, but she is a pretty happy mare at the minute,” Cummings said,
“She is feeling well about herself and she seems very enthusiastic to be back in work.
“They are good signs from our perspective and hopefully she keeps going in such a positive way.”
The Myer Classic is one of the few races on the Australian racing calendar that has not been won by Bart Cummings, but he finished in the placings with Mimi Lebrock in 2008 and Kosi Bay in 2006.
Norzita is currently available at a quote of $15 in the 2014 Cox Plate betting market at Ladbrokes Australia.
