Racing: Finally, some good news for recuperating trainer

The doctors want Ardmore trainer Stephen McKee to abandon all thoughts of his racehorses and take total rest.

Easier said than done when you run one of New Zealand's largest and most successful training establishments.

Results of tests made during McKee's six days in Waikato Hospital after his collapse at Te Rapa races last weekend are still to be analysed.

McKee is resting at home, but he has stable star Mufhasa racing in Brisbane this week and he can reflect on Irish Colleen winning Saturday's $45,000 Lowe Schollum and Jones Rotorua Stakes on Saturday.

Irish Colleen deserved her win.

She now seems at her best over Saturday's 1400m trip - even though she's won a 1200m Concorde - and Auckland owner Daniel Nakhle says he encouraged the stable to run the mare at 1600m in recent starts, which has proved unsuccessful.

"I thought the way her mother used to race that she'd handle it, but she doesn't," said a delighted Nakhle on Saturday.

Irish Colleen came back from 1600m with an excellent second at 1200m to Pennacchio at Ellerslie at her start before Rotorua and found the perfect race on Saturday, finishing powerfully to hold out Barinka, who looks on the verge of some real form.

The A$200,000 Dane Ripper at Eagle Farm on June 5 looks a lovely race for Barinka. At set weights and penalties she should come into the race well in the handicap.