Polo Queen’s Cup: highs and lows
Favourites suffer early upset
Queen’s Cup favourites Dubai suffered an upset in the league matches when they were beaten by Atlantic in an action-filled match: minor injuries to 10-goal Dubai players Lolo Castagnola and Adolfo Cambiaso interrupted play, as did the Cambioso’s pony’s bridle coming off, and later, a high-speed crash at the boards saw a pony injured.
But matters went from bad to worse as far as last year’s winning team was concerned. The quarterfinal stage pitted Dubai against Azzurra, and a blistering performance by the latter put them well ahead at half time.
A determined effort by Castagnola and Cambiaso failed to close the gap sufficiently, leaving the current title-holders defeated, three goals down.
Emerging disqualified
There was early drama in the Queen’s Cup tournament this year as Emerging were disqualified after failing to play their first league match.
The team failed to show up for their match against the Black Bears which had been due to take place at the Bears’ ground at Shiplake on the opening day of the tournament.
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It is standard practice for the league matches in the Queen’s Cup and the Gold Cup to be played at private grounds, including those belonging to a contender.
Both the Black Bears and Geebung, who had been due to play Emerging in the league matches were given a walkover into the quarterfinals
An HPA inquiry is ongoing as patron Fabian Pictet speaks to lawyers
40 vs. 0 charity polo match
The world’s greatest polo player, Alfredo Cambiaso has teamed up with polo-playing super model Jodie Kidd to stage a 40-goal versus 0-goal exhibition match, in which the 0-goal team will be given a 40-goal advantage.
The Argentine polo whiz has pledged a £10,000 bonus to the Afulie Cancer Trust of Argentina should his team score 41 goals; the trust already stands to gain £1,000 for every goal scored by the high-goal team in the six-chukka match.
Proceeds from the goals scored by the 0 goal team will be split between Monsoon and Breakthrough Breast Cancer.
Jodie said: “I am very excited about teaming up with Adolfo for this match – not only will it be great fun but it will also raise thousands of pounds for great causes.”
Jack Kidd takes on a new role
Jodie’s younger brother, and four-goal professional player Jack Kidd had been due to play back for Guards-based polo team Larchmont. However, he has parted company with patron Marek Dochnal.
His duties at Guards on Sunday are all strictly off the polo field. He has taken over hosting the after-match party from his sister following her split with boyfriend Tarquin Southwell, with whom she was originally due to host the party with their Pret-a-Vie company.
Final set to be battle of the big guns
The semi-finals of the Queen’s Cup took place yesterday afternoon, with new teams Larchmont and Graff Capital having made it through to the penultimate stage of the tournament.
Both though, failed to take their challenge any further in the tournament. Larchmont was soundly beaten by Azzurra, who with the Prince of Wales Trophy under their belts look to be the on-form team of the tournament, although the defeated team has put on a resilient and impressive show in their first season as a team.
Graff Capital, who got through to the semi-finals thanks to a somewhat scrappy victory over Loro Piana couldn’t stand up to Labegorce, runners-up here last year. Since this is the one trophy that has eluded Labegorce’s captain Carrlos Gracida, they are unlikely to give way easily to Azzurra
Finals:
- Azzurra: Alejandro Novillo-Astrada (5), Juan Martin Nero (7), Marcos Heguy (10), Stefano Marsaglia (0)
vs. - Labegorce: Hubert Perrodo (0), Carlos Gracida (9), Luke Tomlinson (7), Fred Mannix (6)
- Entry to the Queen’s Cup is available on the day from 10am. £30 per car, occupants free.
- For a full list of results go to www.guardspoloclub.com/news/results_sheet.cfm#12
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