Ethereal possible for Hong Kong Melbourne Cup winner Ethereal is under 'serious consideration' for next month`s Hong Kong International meeting. A decision is due in two weeks on whether the New Zealand mare, who also won the Caulfield Cup during her stint in Australia, will take up her invitation for the Stg#1.2m Vase at Sha Tin on December 16th. Ethereal returned to her home country on Sunday for a week`s rest in a paddock in Cambridge, where there is to be a civic reception in her honour. But trainer Sheila Laxon said: 'We`re really giving Hong Kong serious consideration now. 'She`s a tough mare and she really doesn`t seem to be jaded by all her recent racing. 'We will make a final decision in a fortnight.' Godolphin`s globe-trotting Kutub is a possible Vase rival for Ethereal, who just got the better of stable-companion Give The Slip in Australia`s biggest race last week. Fellow New Zealand mare Sunline may bid to repeat last year`s win in the Hong Kong Mile, if she comes througha warm-up race at Pukekhoe on Saturday week. Trainer Trevor McKee said: 'We`ll see what shape she is in after that race and make our decision about Hong Kong after that.' But Australian star Falvelon is firmly on course to bid for the Sprint, which he landed last year. 'He`s great,' said jockey Damien Oliver. 'Everything`s spot-on for Hong Kong.'
