DIATOMOUS AS SIRE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 264, 5 October 1940, Page 4

DIATOMOUS AS SIRE.

(By “Spectator.")

I The win of Ciliar, at the recent Oliinemuri meeting draws attention to the good form in the little stock that have so tar 1 apjicared of Diatomous, a hay _ horse 1 1I nierlv well-known locally ancl in. North Island racing. He was owned by Mr M. Millar, of Palmerston North, and was trained a.t Bulls by A. E. Neale. Diatomous was represented last eeaeon by winners in Dinky Di, the former paying a sensational dividend in the Nursery Handicap on Auckland Clip Day, and Cillas; land with eix minor placings his progeny earned £712 10s* Money Spinner is another of his progeny who lias shown promise. Diatomous when owned by Mr Millar showed great brilliance as a sprinter, and was a notable weight-carrier. He started racing at two years and finished at six, starting in all 59 times for 11 wins, 10 soconds and eight thirds and winning £2704. In the 1932-33 season, when ho first raced, Diatomous in his first start ran a dead-heat in the Auckland Racing Club’s Welcome Stakes with Princess Doreen. The- time for the five furlongs, 58 4-s?cc, still stands as a record for the race. He also won the Royal Stakes at the Auck- : land summer meeting, and the juvenile handicap at tho Wanganui autumn meeting. He had some brilliant successes as a tlhreo-year-old, including the A\ cllington Stakes. His time for this race, 58jscc, established a new race record which has not been bettered, although it was equalled in 1936 bv Mala and in 1938 by Surmount. Both had light weights', while Diatomous carried 8.6. He won the Metropolitan Handicap at the same meeting and the Railway Handicap at the Wellington Autumn meeting. At four years old Diatomous had only one win. in the Electric Handicap at the Auckland summer meeting, but gained numerous placings. He won three 6)irint events at meetings in the district when five vears old and was then sold byMr Millar for the stud at six years. He was acquired by T Air A. E. Reed for whom he did some racing in the Auckland province, gaining some minor placings.

Death of Nukumai. One of the most versatile horses to race in Now Zealand, Nukumai, died on October 1 in a paddock at Whenuakura, Patea. lie was 23 years old and was bred and owned bv Alessrs Davidson Brothers and trained bv A. AI. Wright, Woodvitlc. His stake -winnings totalled nearly £II,OOO. He won the Grand National Hurdles in 1928 with 11.11, and his most outstanding performance was in winning on each of the three days at the Wellington winter meeting m 1927.