Ipswich Cup Day from AAP

By Glenn Davis
BRISBANE, June 18 AAP - Trainer Mike Moroney is enjoying a week of relaxation on a beach in Thailand and will be hoping a phone call delivers good news about his two feature-race contenders on Ipswich Cup day.
Moroney flew out of Brisbane on Thursday for a Phuket holiday leaving his staff to saddle up Calatrava in Saturday's Listed Ipswich Cup (2150m) and Skiddaw Peak in the Listed Eye Liner Stakes (1350m).
The Moroney-trained My Dream Catcher is first emergency in the Cooney Three-Year-Old Handicap (1350m) after he chose not to accept with the filly in the Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic (1350m).
Moroney plans to be away for only a week and will return in time for Saturday week's Group One Winter Stakes meeting at Eagle Farm.
"We're not finished with the winter carnival yet and we'll have runners at Ipswich and at Eagle Farm on Saturday week and then at Caloundra for their Cup meeting," Moroney said.
"I might even stay a bit longer this year and possibly stay on for the Grafton Cup next month."
Moroney, whose Marheta was runner-up to Miss Keepsake in the Group One Queensland Oaks (2400m) two weeks ago, isn't getting carried away with his Ipswich prospects.
Calatrava has failed to fire in her two Brisbane appearances this winter while Skiddaw Peak also disappointed at his Queensland debut.
Calatrava finished 13th to Crossthestart in the Group Three Chairman's Hcp (2020m) at Doomben on May 15 before finishing down the track in the same position to Triple Honour in the Group Two Eagle Farm Cup (2200m) on June 5.
"She was very disappointing last start," Moroney said.
"I expected a lot better from her but we can't find any excuses.
"I was hoping to run her in the Brisbane Cup last Saturday but her form wasn't up to scratch so I backed off her.
"She was out of sorts last time and I'm just hoping for a mood change from her this time."
Calatrava has only started twice in Australia after winning seven times in New Zealand.
The rising six-year-old mare has tried a handful of times to win black type across the Tasman but is yet to be successful.
Moroney's Eye Liner Stakes hope Skiddaw Peak weakened badly to finish near last to Pennacchio in the Listed Spear Chief Hcp (1500m) at Eagle Farm on June 5.
The trainer believes Skiddaw Peak and Calatrava have been underachievers during their careers and is banking on a drop in class to see them reverse their form slumps.
"Skiddaw Peak has always shown a lot of ability but his only run here this trip was very disappointing," Moroney said.
"He always has to carry big weights in his career and Saturday is no different.
"He's been a bit unsound in the past but he's over all that now and hopefully he'll run a lot better with the drop back in class.
"His work has been very good and he's my best chance if he lives up to his trackwork."
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