Miss Cover Girl’s historical form pattern has trainer Kelly Schweida in two minds about whether to run the stakes winner at Doomben on Saturday.
The mare is a $2.10 favourite for the Coke Zero Open Handicap (1050m), a race that appeals to the trainer as a suitable campaign starting point.
However, Schweida has designs on sending Miss Cover Girl to Sydney for the Group Three Nivison on October 17 and if she races at Doomben her stakes assignment will come second-up when she traditionally hasn’t produced her best form.
“That’s the only reason I’m toying with whether to run her on Saturday or keep her fresh for the other race,” Schweida said.
“She has a muddling record second-up and a very good record first-up.”
Miss Cover Girl won the Group Three PJ Bell Stakes during the Sydney autumn carnival, defeating Peeping who claimed the scalp of popular mare Catkins in the Golden Pendant last Saturday.
Schweida said that formline had given him confidence as Miss Cover Girl prepared for the transition out of three-year-old fillies grade.
“I took a bit of heart out of Peeping’s win,” he said.
“Going to open company for the first time is always a bit daunting.
“But she has spelled the best she ever has and I’m really happy with the way she is going.”
Schweida is also looking at a race at Flemington on Melbourne Cup day for Miss Cover Girl but her ultimate goal is the Magic Millions carnival in January.
The trainer has a hand in both two-year-old races at Doomben with Double Superlative in the colts and geldings division and She’s A Foxy Lady in the fillies event.
Double Superlative has jumped-out at home but hasn’t trialled officially and is an early favourite, a status bewildering to his trainer.
“I can’t work it out. He’s a half (brother) to Cape Kidnappers, that’s the only reason I can think of,” Schweida said.
She’s a Foxy Lady showed speed to finish second in her only trial and Schweida describes her as “jump-and-run” style of filly.
