Bart and James Cummings have suffered a major blow to their carnival hopes with Norzita ruled out for the spring with a tendon injury.

The two-time Group One winner had been due to run in the Group Three Tramway Stakes at Randwick on Saturday ahead of a Cox Plate campaign in Melbourne.

Duncan Ramage, racing manager for part-owner Dato Tan Chin Nam, confirmed Norzita had undergone scans to her off fore leg which revealed the extent of her problem.

"She is out for at least the spring," Ramage said.

"We can't forecast the total length she will be required to be out at this stage.

"It's disappointing. It's not the time of year you want to lose your stable star."

Norzita had been expected to be a flagship spring horse for the recently formed Cummings training partnership.

She appeared to have returned in top order with a slashing first-up third to Rebel Dane at Warwick Farm two weeks ago.

Although made favourite to win next month's Epsom Handicap, Norzita was expected to miss the race to head to Melbourne after the George Main Stakes.

Norzita emerged as a top-class horse with her Group One Flight Stakes win last year.

She added to her Group One tally in the autumn before finishing third in the Doncaster Mile.