Norzita has opened as favourite for the 2013 Epsom Handicap (1600m) that will be run at Royal Randwick on October 5 but co-trainer James Cummings has revealed that the classy mare is unlikely to take part in the race.

Norzita is unlikely to contest the Group 1 Epsom Handicap during the 2013 Spring Racing Carnival. Photo: Steve Hart

Norzita started her 2013 Spring Racing Carnival campaign with a very impressive performance in the Group 3 Show County Quality (1200m), flashing down the outside late to finish third behind Rebel Dane and Title despite carrying the top weight of 57kg.

The Thorn Park mare has proven that she can carry big weights and perform well in handicap events but according to Cummings she is unlikely to contest the feature race of the 2013 Sydney Spring Racing Carnival.

“The Epsom is definitely not plan A at this stage,” Cummings told TVN.

“It would take a change in our program for her to run there.”

Norzita will remain in Sydney to contest the Group 3 Tramway Handicap (1400m) at Royal Randwick on September 7 and the Group 1 George Main Stakes (1600m) at the same venue on September 21 before heading to Melbourne to contest the Group 1 Caulfield Stakes (2000m) on October 12 ahead of her major 2013 Spring Racing Carnival assignment – the $3 million Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 26.

Even without Norzita the Cummings training partnership of James and his famous grandfather Bart will still have a chance to record a victory in the Epsom Handicap with consistent gelding Goldstone, lightly-raced Maximilian and Encosta De Lago gelding Reunite all included in the Epsom Handicap nominations that were released at the start of the week.

James Cummings has the chance to record his first Group victory since the training partnership began on August 1 when Eurozone takes part in Group 3 The Run To The Rose (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.