The S.A. Poonawalla Million, one of the mega events of the Pune racing season, will be staged here on September 15 (Sunday). Along with this event, yet another Million race — the Villoo C. Poonawalla Million for maiden three-year-olds — shall be run in memory of Villoo C. Poonawalla, the wife of Cyrus Poonawalla.
The S.A. Poonawalla Million (Gr.3) is named after the late Soli A. Poonawalla, an ardent lover of clean horse racing, a pioneer of thoroughbred breeding in India and the father of Cyrus and Zavaray Poonawalla. He stepped into breeding race horses in 1946 when the industry was in its infancy.
The race run over a mile belongs to the troika of races regarded as traditional pointers to the upcoming classics.
The Poonawallas will be giving away prizes worth ₹4 lakh in a contest of skill. The winner will drive home a Maruti Alto or take away a LED TV or a laptop. Participants, who will get a free contest form, will have to correctly nominate the first four horses in the order of finishing in the S.A. Poonawalla Million.
Though it is small field, with six horses vying for supremacy, the event wears an open look. Trainer Altaf Hussain’s Sultan Suleimain, who won impressively in his last start, may score over his rivals.
Pesi Shroff’s ward Mzilikazi, who ran second to Golden Guest in the last outing, runs with a good chance on handicap. S.K. Sunderji-trainee Trouvaille could pose a serious threat as evidenced by his track performances.
Outstation trainer Deshmukh’s ward Prince Valiant, winner of two races at Hyderabad, is in good shape and may win.
