The famous silks of Dato Tan Chin Nam have been victorious in the Cox Plate on three occasions and the new training duo of Bart and James Cummings are looking to record another win in the famous race for their leading owner.

The Cox Plate will be the ultimate 2013 Spring Racing Carnival goal for Norzita. Photo by: Steve Hart

Group 1 winner Norzita is the latest Dato Tan Chin Nam-owned horse that has been set for the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) with the Thorn Park mare set to contest the $3.2 million Australasian Weight-For-Age Championship at the end of a five start preparation.

Norzita recorded her maiden Group 1 win in the Flight Stakes (1600m) at Randwick during the 2012 Spring Racing Carnival and added another win at racing’s highest level in the Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) in autumn, before running a strong third behind Sacred Falls in the Group 1 Doncaster Handicap (1600m).

The four-year-old is set to make the step-up to weight-for-age level during the 2013 Spring Racing Carnival, with co-trainer James Cummings telling Racing Ahead that the Group 1 George Main Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on September 21, the Caulfield Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on October 12 and Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 26 would be the major targets for the talented mare.

Cummings said that he believes that Norzita has returned for this preparation as a stronger horse but will wait until she runs in a barrier trial at Randwick tomorrow before he gives a full assessment.

“She is a bit stronger than she was last prep, which is natural,” Cummings said on RSN.

“We feel as though she will be really improved by the trial tomorrow.

“We will play it by ear and see how she comes through it.”

Bart Cummings and Dato Tan Chin Nam have previously combined to win the Cox Plate with Saintly (1996) and So You Think (2009 and 2010).