Unbeaten Mark Walker-trained juvenile Tokyo Tycoon has returned a post-race positive result to meloxicam following his victory in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Pukekohe on March 11 and if he loses the race it will give young I Am Invincible stallion Santos a G1 winner with his filly Ulanova the runner-up.
The son of Satono Aladdin defeated Ulanova (Santos), Tulsi (The Autumn Sun) and To Catch A Thief to cap a perfect five from five campaign.
After being notified by the Racing Integrity Board of the positive, Te Akau Racing have released the following statement:
“We are extremely disappointed to be advised by the Racing Integrity Board (RIB) that Tokyo Tycoon has returned a positive post-race result for a non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory medication following the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes.
“This news has come as an enormous shock as we have trained 155 winners this year in New Zealand alone, 30 at Group level, and every other horse has delivered a 100% clear post-race result.
“Te Akau always conducts itself with the utmost integrity and professionalism. Our whole team is deeply committed to these principles. We take pride in our robust systems, which have been noted by the RIB. Abiding by all rules of racing is non-negotiable for us.
“The post-race result indicates the presence of meloxicam which is commonly used within the industry and is administered as an anti-inflammatory medication post-gallop. This treatment was not prescribed to Tokyo Tycoon making this result a mystery.
“We are working very closely and co-operatively with the RIB to ascertain exactly what has happened, and to establish how this has occurred.
“There are, in our view, only two possibilities for this to have occurred: ether a human error, or deliberate administration by an unknown party.
“We have CCTV throughout our stable, and this footage is currently being analysed to identify what has occurred. We have shared this data with the RIB.
“We feel very disappointed for Tokyo Tycoon's owners who are wonderful friends and supporters of our stable - and for the horse himself as Tokyo Tycoon proved to be the stand-out 2YO throughout this season.
“As this is an on-going investigation, there will be no further comment.”
Should Tokyo Tycoon be disqualified, the Stephen Marsh-trained Ulanova would be the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) winner. - NZ RAcing Desk
