Calatrava and Beatboy tackle the Grafton Cup

Midweek black type action in New South Wales this week with the running on Thursday of the $150,000 Listed Grafton Cup.

The Moroney stable saddles up two runners in the 2350m feature - Calatrava (barrier 4, Stathi Katsidis) and Beatboy (barrier 3 Corey Brown).

Getting a long way back from outside draws at her recent outings (barriers 12, 12, 11 and 12 at her last four starts), Calatrava Has "drawn a gate for a change" which Michael Moroney says, "should see her a lot closer up in the running."

A seven times winner whose value would be increased should she earn black type, Calatrava boasts an excellent middle distance record.

A daughter of former Woodlands shuttler Desert Prince, she is out of a Zabeel half sister to the stakes winners Via Suez and Duke's Deal.

She is another success story for Paul Moroney's keen eye, costing just NZ$22,500 at the Karaka sales.

Looking a major chance after not having much luck at recent outings is the handsome chestnut Beaboy.

"He might not have beaten the winner if he'd had a better run in the Tatt's Cup," Moroney said, "but he certainly should've run second."

A horse who has progressed quickly through the classes - winning his maiden at Yarra Valley in late February - Beatboy looks nicely placed in the Grafton Cup.

"He has also drawn well and he is well at the weights. He has trained on well and should prove hard to beat."

Meanwhile Mr Baritone is likely to be the first of our spring contenders to resume. Having enjoyed a short break in Queensland, he will kick off in the Bletchingly Stakes in which he ran third last year.

Monaco Consul and Divine Rebel will also be in Melbourne soon, due to fly down towards the end of the month in preparations for a crack at the big Cups.