McKee In Hospital After Health Scare

Sunday, 02 May 2010 09:15

Trainer Stephen McKee will remain in Waikato Hospital for several days for further tests after a health scare at the Te Rapa races.

McKee, fourth on the New Zealand trainers premiership with 49 wins this season, spent Saturday night in Waikato Hospital after feeling unwell and complaining of pain between his shoulders and down one arm.

There was widespread concern for McKee at the track as he was placed on a stretcher and taken by ambulance to hospital before the day's feature, the Travis Stakes.

His father and former training partner, Trevor, saddled the favourite Culminate who finished sixth in the Travis.

New Zealand Trainers Association executive officer Dennis Ryan said he'd spoken to McKee's wife Fiona who was upbeat about her husband's condition.

McKee would remain in hospital for at least one or two more days, Ryan said.

"He's still being monitored until they get to the bottom of what the problem is," Ryan said.

"He has improved...and he seems a lot brighter."

McKee has saddled 10 black type winners this season and last week outlined plans to take his Group One-winning sprinter Mufhasa to Brisbane for the upcoming winter carnival.

Hawke's Bay Cup winner Boundless was to accompany Mufhasa to Brisbane but had now been turned out for a spell after she was scratched from the Travis Stakes due to filling in a tendon.