Racing had never been the same since the Poonawalla brothers introduced the Poonawalla Breedeers' Million for 3 year-olds in the early 1990s. The success and popularity of this race created such a euphoria that the race was soon labelled the 'Juvenile Derby'! The race has, over the years, swelled to a Multi-Million race and the stakes today are close to Rs 1 crore.
The Poonawallas have also added an international flavour into Indian racing; the Poonawalla Breeders' Multi-Million (GR-1) is on the lines of the Cartier Million. They have ensured that the action is not restricted to the racetrack alone. There is a lot to look forward off the track as well. The Contest of Skill innovated by the brothers has become popular; in fact, so popular that every Sponsor today emulates it. The Maruti Car as the bumper prize open to all present at the race course on their race day, made the Poonawalla Breeders' Million attractive to common race goers as well.
In the same line, the Poonawalla Group would present Super Sunday on 25th November 2007. "The day has been designed on the lines of the Dubai International Super Saturday observed in the Emirates," says Zavarey Poonawalla, the younger sibling. "We have especially planned this event to commemorate the stupendous achievements of our Mystical on the NAD turf. Mystical's success was 'mystifying' to the racing world! His glorious feat is a result of great teamwork. Mystical is the equine star of the century," concluded a beaming Zavarey.
Mystical (Alnasr Alwasheek - Mystic Memory), after winning various Indian Classics, was assigned for sterner tests when he embarked to the Emirates in February this year. He won two of his three starts, the first on his debut over 1,600 metres in a field of 14 runners from across the globe. He won again, in the very next outing, after a gap of about three weeks over 2,000 metres, accounting for a field of 10. He outclassed a formidable line-up which had horses from the US, Australia, Ireland, Great Britain, France, Argentina and Brazil. He earned the winner's stakes of $66,000 and $105,000 respectively for his two victories, creating history on the Emirates' turf.
This grand success has opened up opportunities for other Indian stars to take a crack at the Dubai races. On the Super Sunday, amidst the Carnival setting, our current equine luminaries will exhibit their speed, stamina and form for the final time before they head to the Emirates with a mission to emulate Mystical’s success.
The Super Sunday has three races sponsored by the Poonawalla Group: The Mystical Stayers' Trophy, The Mystical International Sprinters' Trophy and The Mystical International Super Mile Trophy. The Super Sunday is multi-starrer--Southern Empire, Haunting Memories and Secret Memory are hopefuls to make it to Dubai. Bourbon King, the emerging star, has a lot at stake here in India for now. He will start his Mumbai campaign with an eye on the Indian Classics. That adds more significance to the day.
Besides the opportunity to watch so many racing stars in action on a single day, one lucky entrant to the race course will win a 3 nights/2 days trip to Dubai with tickets to the Dubai races, courtesy Contest of Skill. There are, as usual, lots of other prizes to be won. All in all, 'Super Sunday' promises to become another red-letter day in the racing calendar of the Royal Western India Turf Club.
