Dual Group One winner Norzita is progressing well towards her comeback after missing most of the season with a tendon injury.
The four-year-old has returned to the paddock for two weeks after spending three weeks working at Bart and James Cummings’ Randwick stable.
The winner of the Flight Stakes and Vinery Stud Stakes, Norzita was being prepared for a Cox Plate campaign when she suffered the injury at trackwork last September.
Duncan Ramage, racing manager for owner Dato Tan Chin Nam, said the Cox Plate was again a target.
“She could have gone to stud this year but both Dato Tan and Bart decided they want to keep racing her,” Ramage said.
“The Cox Plate is a target but we will see how she comes along in her first couple of runs.
“Depending on how they go, the Myer Classic over 1600 metres is also there for her.
“She spent three weeks at the Randwick stable and is having another couple of weeks back at the farm.”
Ramage said track conditions would determine whether Norzita began her campaign in Sydney or Melbourne.
Meanwhile, hardy stayer Precedence, who also races in Dato Tan’s colours, will go for a spell after his seventh in Saturday’s Brisbane Cup.
The eight-year-old did not live up to his minor placings in two lead-up races to the Cup and Ramage said he would not go on to the Listed Queensland Cup (3200m) in July 5.
“The plan was always to give him a spell after the Brisbane Cup so we will stick to that,” he said.
“He can have a nice break and get ready for the spring again. Obviously he is getting on but while he still shows he wants to race he will.
“He was a bit flat in the Cup but he always puts in each preparation.”
Precedence missed a start in last year’s Melbourne Cup by one spot and came out a few days later to win the Group Three Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
– AAP