Underrated Group One performer Rockford Bay kicks off his winter campaign at Caulfield on Saturday and has been earmarked for a showdown with stable star Xcellent in the Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm in June.

Trainer Mike Moroney said the Stradbroke would most likely be Xcellent's only winter run and his first since breaking down when third to Makybe Diva and On A Jeune in the 2005 Melbourne Cup.

He said Rockford Bay had also been entered for the Stradbroke on June 9 with his lead-up likely to be in another of Brisbane's Group One feature sprints, the Doomben 10,000 (1350m) on May 26.

"Queensland is definitely a possibility for him (Rockford Bay)," Moroney said.

"We will hopefully have a big team going up there and the (dry) tracks will suit him."

Saturday's Pink Ribbon Cup (1200m) is a crucial race for Rockford Bay who hasn't raced since a breathing problem, for which he has subsequently undergone an operation, restricted him to just four runs last spring.

Much was expected from the Flying Spur five-year-old who the previous season had finished close up behind the placegetters in three Group One races when sixth in the Emirates Stakes, fourth in the Railway Stakes and fifth in the Fruit `n Veg.

Moroney said Rockford Bay's breathing problem undoubtedly stopped him winning in the spring when he was beaten a neck or less when finishing third in three of his four runs.

After narrow defeats to Tesbury Jack and Amerryking he finished third to Flash Trick in the Group Two Waterford Crystal Mile.

Moroney said the throat operation was scheduled after Rockford Bay finished sixth to Swick in the Group Three Sandown Stakes in November.

"He just wasn't getting all his air in so we stopped him for the operation and it seems to be a success at this stage," he said.

"It could make a big difference to him.

"We expect him to run well first-up but the only question mark is the weather as he doesn't really like wet tracks."

Heavy rain in Adelaide was heading to Melbourne but Moroney is hoping it will have only minimal effect on the Caulfield track.

The back-up plan is to run Rockford Bay in the Wangoom Hcp (1200m) at Warrnambool next Wednesday.

Greg Childs partnered Rockford Bay through the spring but was suspended at Moonee Valley for 15 meetings and Mark Zahra has replaced him.

Moroney expects to have his first runner in Brisbane as early next week when Eskimo Queen arrives from New Zealand on May 2.

The winner of two of her four starts has been entered for both the Queensland Derby on June 2 and the Oaks on June 9.

Stakeswinning three-tear-old The One is targeting the Queensland Guineas but is also entered for the BTC Cup, Doomben 10,000, Stradbroke and Doomben Cup.

Jokers Wild will run in Sunday week's Group One Goodwood Hcp (1200m) in Adelaide before heading to Brisbane where he is entered for the BTC Cup, Doomben 10,000 and Stradbroke.