Racing Victoria stewards expect to release the results of an autopsy carried out on Melbourne Cup favourite Admire Rakti in the coming weeks.
Admire Rakti won the Caulfield Cup but collapsed and died soon after trailing the Melbourne Cup field home as a $5.50 favourite.
Footage of the incident was aired on various media outlets as the Japanese galloper's demise stirred debate on the merits of the sport.
RV's chief steward Terry Bailey said he has received the interim findings of the autopsy but his department was waiting for the results of various tests of samples taken from Admire Rakti.
"We have received an interim autopsy report and the analytical testing of samples taken from Admire Rakti is still being conducted to rule out anything but natural causes," Bailey said in a statement.
"We've been advised that it will be a further three weeks before all the test results are known. Once they've been received and considered we'll release our full report into the horse's death."
Bailey also said stewards are satisfied with jockey Zac Purton's explanation of his riding tactics on the seven-year-old.
Admire Rakti came from well back to win the Caulfield Cup but the entire settled second behind a fast pace in the Melbourne Cup before dropping out of contention with 1000 metres to travel.
"Mr Purton explained that the horse got much further back than connections had hoped in the Caulfield Cup after being beaten out of the gates and then shuffled back by other runners in the rush to the first corner," Bailey said.
"In the Melbourne Cup the horse jumped on better terms and was able to take up a desired position in the leading division with the longer run to the first turn. His pre-race instructions to be running in the first six were consistent with the horse's overall racing pattern in Japan.
"In all circumstances we are satisfied with the riding tactics of Mr Purton in the Melbourne Cup."
