Key pointers from the stewards’ reports at the feature race meetings at Randwick and Flemington last Saturday, September 16.

Randwick:

Royal Navy (Race 2): Blue-blooded Fastnet Rock stallion Royal Navy started the market elect but was a well beaten fifth in the second race on the program. Stewards enquired into the performance, with jockey Tim Clark saying that when his mount commenced awkwardly, he elected to go back in accordance with his instructions to find cover. Royal Navy never travelled in the run, which Clark attributed to a slow early tempo and the entire was under pressure a long way out, only plugging home to be beaten 5.4 lengths. Royal Navy had been at the midweeks at his previous two runs of this campaign and Clark was of the opinion that the step up in grade today may not have suited him at this stage of his career.

Malahat (Race 3): The Godolphin colt missed a place as favourite in the Heritage Stakes, running a two-length fourth to stablemate Viridine. His dramas came well before the race with stewards advised by trainer James Cummings the colt had shown signs of some abnormalities when a blood profile was taken following acceptances. Subsequent blood tests showed an improving profile and Malahat was cleared to start by the stable veterinarian. Malahat underwent a veterinary examination on arrival on course and was passed fit to race. Malahat could be worth another chance next start with a smoother lead-in to the race.

English (Race 7): The Everest contender missed the placings when resuming in The Shorts but there was merit in her performance after travelling wide and without cover for most of the race. When questioned regarding the mare being ridden more forward, Blake Shinn said the mare commenced best and, whilst he had intended to take up a rearward position with the anticipated fast tempo, he took advantage of his mount's good start. He said when the early stages were not run as quickly as he would have anticipated, English was caught wide. The mare can be expected to improve as she makes her way towards the Everest.

Chocante (Race 8): The Kiwi stayer’s hopes for the upcoming staying features took a hit when he could manage only seventh in the Kingston Town Stakes. Chocante started second pick in the betting and jockey Blake Shinn said after travelling comfortably behind the leaders, with the race run at a moderate tempo in the middle stages, he felt as Chocante is a staying type it was in its best interests to shift off near the 600m to make the race a staying test. He said, after initially responding to his efforts to improve around the leaders, Chocante was under pressure from the 300m and was disappointing in its finishing effort. Chocante was cleared of any veterinary issues.

Flemington:

Jorda (Race 1): The Sydney filly was favourite to make a winning Melbourne debut but struggled in the run home when eighth. Rider Kerrin McEvoy said Jorda may not have been suited by the straight course. A post race veterinary examination revealed the filly to have a slow recovery and a swab sample was taken for analysis.

Oregon's Day (Race 6): The mare had a forgettable day out when beating just one runner home in the Let’s Elope Stakes. She was unable to get a glimpse of the running rail, racing five wide without cover. She didn’t run on in the straight with a post-race check detecting some mucus and also a degree of internal exercise induced pulmonary haemorrhage. She will need a vet clearance before racing again.

Swampland (Race 6) was a luckless runner up in the same race. She was held up for clear running from the 400m until approaching the 100m and hit the line hard when clear. Rider Chris Symons was reprimanded and advised to exercise more care for permitting his mount to shift out near the 200m when not quite clear. With three wins and a second from her previous four runs, Swampland is worth following up next start.

Le Romain and Seaburge (Race 7): The pair dropped out noticeably in the final stages of the Makybe Diva Stakes and both returned similar veterinary reports. They each showed a degree of internal exercise induced pulmonary haemorrhage, with Le Romain also showing a slow recovery.