Sensibility trumped sentiment for Hugh Bowman when he chose to ride Norzita over Shoot Out in Saturday's Tramway Stakes at Randwick.

Bowman has ridden Shoot Out exclusively for the past two seasons and the pair has combined for three Group One wins.

He admits to having a soft spot for the seven-year-old and says while it was a tough decision, he took a view to the future in opting to stick with Norzita whose star is still on the rise.

"You can only ride one horse," Bowman said.

"What do you do? I had to choose one.

"Shoot Out, as much as I love him, he is at a level and he's not going to go beyond that.

"There is every chance he's got a couple more Group Ones in him but he's not going to develop into a better horse where Norzita can certainly do that."

Norzita captured two Group One wins during her three-year-old season and Bowman was aboard for both.

He was also in the saddle when she made an impressive return in the Show County Quality at Warwick Farm, finishing third to Rebel Dane to whom she gave both weight and a head start.

The mare is trained by the fledgling partnership of Bart and James Cummings with the Cox Plate her ultimate spring goal.