Overlook the State of Origin — Queensland coach Billy Slater’s actual problem will likely be going through Argentinian Nacho Figueras on the polo subject on Sunday.
And the sledging — good natured however spicy — has already begun.
“Billy has acquired a brand new pair of polo boots,” Figueras stated pointing to the gleaming new boots Slater purchased when he and spouse Nicole visited the polo ace and his mannequin spouse Delfina Blaquier at their residence in Buenos Aires this yr.
“Hopefully that may assist right here within the recreation on Sunday. However I don’t assume so.”
Figueras’s personal battered boots have holes worn in them from 1000’s of hours of follow. Regardless of secretly practising on polo pony Tulip on his property in Victoria forward of the Magic Tens of millions Polo and Showjumping day on the Gold Coast, Slater’s boots stay pristine.
“I’ve no remark,” Slater stated with a smile. “Actions communicate louder than phrases.”
However then he paused and added a fast disclaimer.
“They’ve stacked their workforce. Not solely have they got Nacho and Delfi, in addition they have the Australian polo workforce captain Jack Archibald.”
Doug Jennings Park on The Spit is in good situation for the occasion that launches the annual Magic Tens of millions yearling gross sales, regardless of the storms which have lashed different components of the world.
Gold Coast Deputy Mayor Donna Gates stated the clean-up operation was underway elsewhere however the primary vacationer areas have been untouched and open for enterprise.
“The town is in nice form in our vacationer precincts and we’re wanting ahead to a unbelievable week of Magic Tens of millions occasions,” she stated.
“The theme parks are thumping and the climate has cleared. The polo subject is in nice form and the ferries are arriving.”
For the primary time a brand new ferry wharf has been constructed to carry folks to the occasion.
Figueras stated he had talked about how efficient ferries had been at a polo occasion he performed at in New York to Magic Tens of millions co-owner Katie Web page.
“I didn’t assume she listened however after all she did,” Figueras laughed. “What I love about her is that she is all the time trying to step it up.”
He stated the entire weekend was about celebrating the “love of the horse” — and naturally beating the Queensland State of Origin coach within the polo.
And with that in thoughts, the soiled tips might have already begun.
Figueras rapidly became his Magic Tens of millions prime for the picture shoot however when Slater dived into the bag he pulled out a small girls dimension 10 shirt that may not have lined one bicep.
“They need the Queensland coach to look good and tight,” Figueras laughed. “Suck it up.”
Initially printed as Excessive profile polo buddies Billy Slater and Nacho Figueras face off at Gold Coast Magic Tens of millions
