The Bart Cummings trained Norzita left no doubt who was the best filly today with a dominant win in the Group 1 $400,000 Coolmore Flight Stakes (1600m) at Randwick.

Norzita

Norzita proves too good in the Group 1 Flight Stakes. Photo by: Steve Hart

Norzita made amends after being relagated to second in the stewards’ room last start when first past the post in the Group 2 $175,000 Coolmore Tea Rose Stakes (1500m) at Randwick on September 22 and beat Longport fair and square today.

Longport also showed that the win in the Tea Rose, albeit on protest wasn’t a fluke and ran a dogged race to hold on for second after setting the pace in front.

Winning rider Hugh Bowman had to make a move earlier than he would have liked but was confident his filly had the goods to produce a tough effort.

“I rode her work here on Tuesday morning, it was enough to give me confidence going into the race. It was an even race with no standout filly,” Bowman said.

“Traditionally the Tea Rose form you want to follow, she was first past the post and she really made no doubt about it today. I was so confident.”

“I didn’t know if I should have moved up so early but the pace was so moderate, and I know Bart likes his horses ridden to finish, you know I just had to ride her with confidence and she delivered for us.”

Duncan Ramage for the Bart Cummings stable was quick to praise the winning ride of Bowman and will meet with Cummings over the week end to map out a program for the rest of the Spring.

“Top riders like Hugh Bowman you don’t tell them too much. There there and that’s what they are paid for, he rode her very well,” Ramage said.

“One step at a time Bart’s told me, we’ll re-consult after this, she won with authority.”

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.