Bart Cummings will adopt a softly, softly approach with emerging filly Norzita this spring but says she all going well, the Rosehill winner will be given a chance at Group One level.
After making a mess of her Gosford debut earlier this month, the two-year-old showed a marked improvement when cleanly away in Saturday’s Woolworths Handicap (1300m).
After making a mess of her Gosford debut earlier this month, the two-year-old showed a marked improvement when cleanly away in Saturday's Woolworths Handicap (1300m). - Photo by Steve Hart
Sent out at $10 and sporting the famous black and white checks of Cummings’ long time friend and client, Dato Tan Chin Nam, she further underlined her talent when she came out of the pack to hit the line strongly, 1-1/4 lengths ahead of favourite Seaside ($2.20).
“It’s nice to have a winner for old Chin Nam,” Cummings said.
“He will be pleased. I told him to back her.
“I think she has a good future but we’ll be patient with her.
“She’s still learning and has made improvement since what happened at Gosford.”
Dato Tan’s racing manager Duncan Ramage said spring plans would be in the hands of the master trainer.
“We will let Bart assess it,” he said.
“He has a fond feeling for her and the timing is right to head to some of the bigger races.
“But we won’t get carried away.”
Cummings indicated the Golden Rose on September 15 could be among her targets along with races like the Flight Stakes and Thousand Guineas – or perhaps not.
“She has needed time and she is still growing,” he said.
“We’ll just wait and see.”
Norzita was a $200,000 yearling purchase at last year’s Premier Sale in New Zealand.
