Miss Cover Girl to make belated return

Group One winner Miss Cover Girl will make a belated return to racing at Eagle Farm with Damian Browne expected to ride.

Trainer Kelly Schweida pulled the pin on a Melbourne spring campaign but said Miss Cover Girl was now ready to return in the $200,000 Group Three George Moore Stakes on Saturday.

She hasn’t started since her win the Group One Tatts Tiara at Eagle Farm on June 25 with Browne aboard.

After she was soundly beaten by the now-retired champion sprinter Buffering in a barrier trial in September, Schweida reconsidered her campaign.

“I wasn’t totally happy with her and I felt going to Melbourne would be a waste of time,” Schweida said.

“It was decided she would be better tackling the summer feature races in Queensland.”

Schweida said Miss Cover Girl’s main mission would be on Magic Millions day on January 13.

“There are three races on that day which would suit her – the QTIS million race the Magic Millions Fillies and Mares race and the Magic Millions Cup,” he said.

“They are all worth a million dollars so it gives us plenty of options. At least Buffering isn’t around for the QTIS race.”

Browne missed Saturday’s Eagle Farm meeting because he was attending a wedding in New Zealand but Schweida expects him to be aboard the mare on Saturday.