The 2013 USPA Piaget Gold Cup is in full swing with second round action already underway at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington.
Sunday afternoon saw three games take place with Zacara (2-0), Audi (2-0) and Valiente (2-0) keeping their hopes alive with their second consecutive victories of the tournament.
In the opening game of the day, a half-hearted Zacara (2-0) effort resulted in a 10-6 win over Mt. Brilliant, who suffered their second loss in Piaget Gold Cup play.
Maybe it was the shift to daylight savings time, but Zacara had none of the zest they had demonstrated in their tournament opening 17-7 win over Coca-Cola, but the effort was still enough to earn them their second consecutive win.
The Zacara defense held Mt. Brilliant to just two goals in the first half of play and posted five goals in the fifth chukker, but didn’t show the flash that had them pummeling Coca-Cola in the tournament opener.
There is no doubt that Zacara has the potential to run the table in Gold Cup play, but they are going to have to decide to bring their A game to the field every time they play.
Sunday’s second USPA Piaget Gold Cup match saw Audi (2-0) hand Alegria (0-2) its second consecutive loss in a 13-7 rout.
Rebounding from a disappointing overtime loss to Audi just days earlier, Alegria just wasn’t clicking the way they were in their previous match, while Audi 10-goaler Gonzalito Pieres was on fire. He led the Audi attack with seven goals on the day. Teammates Nico Pieres, Hall and Bollini each scored a pair of goals in the victory.
In the feature match of the day, an enthusiastic crowd was treated to a polo demonstration by arguably the greatest player in the game today, Adolfo Cambiaso.
The talented 10-goal polo player from Argentina dazzled the spectators with his handy mallet work and expert horsemanship.
The coordinated efforts of Cambiaso and his 10-goal teammate, Pelon Stirling, set the pace for a Valiente attack that had them leading Coca-Cola 9-2 at the end of the first half of play. Even team patron Bob Jornayvaz got into the act, scoring two goals in the 13-8 win.
The Piaget Gold Cup continued Thursday with five matches, but results were not available at presstime. More tournament action be featured this weekend at Sunday polo.
All tournament game times and field assignments can be obtained by calling IPC’s Polo Hotline at (561) 282-5290.
High-goal polo action takes place every Sunday through April 21 at the International Polo Club. Ticket prices for Sunday polo range from $10 general admission to $120 box seating. Tickets for Sunday brunch at the Pavilion and its reception start at $55, upward to $330 for the Veuve Clicquot brunch package for two. Tickets can be purchased online at www.internationalpoloclub.com, or by calling (561) 204-5687. Find IPC on Facebook, follow on Twitter at @SundayPolo or visit www.ipcscoreboard.com for up-to-date scores, schedules, rosters and all other polo info.
ABOVE: Mark Fabry of Philanthropic Capital Group, Terri Campbell, Michael Mars of Mars Chocolate and Outback’s Tim and Christie Gannon. PHOTOGRAPHY BY LILA PHOTO
