The 31st renewal of the S.A. Poonawalla Million, one of the stellar attractions of the Pune racing season, will be staged here on Sunday (Sept. 13).

This mega event is named after the late Soil A. Poonawalla, an ardent lover of clean horse racing, a pioneer of thoroughbred breeding in India and 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. It’s also the richest race for this age group, with a total prize of ₹1.5 million.

Among the seven contenders vying for supremacy, Trainer Pesi Shroff’s top-weighted colt Jaandaar, who has won three races so far including the F.D. Wadia Trophy recently, maintains his winning form and may defy the penalty to continue his winning streak.

Avener from Adhirajsingh Jodha’s yard, winner of two races is in good shape and may have a say at the finish.

Invincible Force schooled by Malesh Narredu, who has two impressive victories to his record, looks promising.

Trainer Imtiaz Sait’s filly Minari, who has won two races in her six starts, may upset.