All That Glitters: Former polo pro says “no bother” if people party as much as they watch

A former top polo pro says it’s no bother to players if people coming to the Magic Millions party as much as they watch.

A TOP Australian polo pro says it doesn’t bother him if people coming to the Magic Millions launch spectacle spend as much time socialising as they do watching the matches.

Rob Archibald, who spent 14 years based in England and travelling as a gun player on the international circuit, says the highly social nature of the annual Magic Millions Polo – on tomorrow at Doug Jennings Park – is fine by him.

“The more fun people have the happier we are. At the end of the day it is an entertainment sport and you want to see people come and enjoy the day.

“We love the polo side of it but the reality is people if people don’t enjoy themselves and what’s going on then they won’t come.”

Australian polo players Rob Archibald with jockeys Brenton Avdulla, Jamie Kai and Chris Symons. Pic: Michael Klein

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Archibald will saddle up on the day with his younger brothers Ed and Jack, who has replaced him as Australian captain. Rob and Jack are playing in a finale pro match but other big names playing in a celebrity team include NRL legend Billy Slater and his wife Nicole who will face a team of top jockeys including Winx rider Hugh Bowman.

Rob, who played for some of the world’s wealthiest team owners before retiring from the sport competitively, said while he was earning good money it was costly to participate at the top.

“I was able to make a comfortable living but I was coming home and spending all my money on horses to take back to England,” he said.

“If you don’t have the best horses then they don’t want to play you.”

SPOTTED

Karl Stefanovic at Burleigh Pavilion for New Years Eve.

KARL Stefanovic might be the most talked about man in the country right now, but he’s not letting that get in the way of a good time. The recently axed Today host partied at Gold Coast hot spot Burleigh Pavilion to ring in the new year. He took a selfie with a group of punters, including Million Metres for Melanoma charity owner Martin Misevski, looking perfectly happy and relaxed.

HE SAID IT

Australian director James Wan has warned fans of Aquaman. Pic credit: Art Streiber

AQUAMAN director James Wan has had to publicly warn fans of the blockbuster to stop bullying anyone who doesn’t like the movie, which was filmed here on the Gold Coast. The acclaimed Australian director, who rose to prominence with the horror Saw franchise, Tweeted: “Please don’t do that. Not the kind of support I want. Be respectful.” On the flipside, added: “Vice versa, it’s ok to not like my film but there is no need to attack me personally or tag me on hates. Peace.”

OH NO HE DIDN’T

Dr Jerry Schwartz, has made his first foray into Queensland hotel property with the $70 million purchase of the five-star Hilton Surfers Paradise. Photo: Supplied

JERRY Schwartz, whose family expects to settle on a $70m deal as new owner of the Hilton in Surfers Paradise, has an amusing anecdote about being mistaken for a vagrant. He told the Newcastle Herald in 2010 how police approached after he took a swim in front of a mega-mansion at Sydney’s swanky Double Bay. The surgeon had to convince police he wasn’t casing the joint but lived next door in his own luxury pad: “I said I didn’t have to give a reason why I was there and if they watched me they would see where I lived.”

SHE SAID IT

Brisbane Heat star Ben Cutting and former Miss World Australia Erin Holland at Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast this week.

STAR Gold Coast Magic Millions ambassador and ex-Miss World Australia Erin Holland - cosying up to Brisbane Heat star and her partner Ben Cutting - knows her cricket grounds. And she rates Metricon Stadium, where this was snapped earlier in the week after Cutting belted 58 off 32m, as a Big Bash venue for T20 cricket: “I go to a lot of cricket here and overseas and I’ve seen my fair share. I thought Metricon was great. The boys said it was amazing to play on too.”

GUTTER

Dawn Crichlow has put her foot down over plans to mark the Gold Coast’s birthday. Picture Mike Batterham

SOUTHPORT veteran councillor Dawn Crichlow for pouring cold water over exciting plans to mark the 60th diamond anniversary of the city being officially named the Gold Coast. We often love Cr Crichlow’s feisty approach to sticking up for her constituents and keeping her fellow councillors and Mayor Tom Tate honest - but on this one Cr Crichlow, stop being a party pooper.

GLITTER

Gold Coast tennis star Sam Stosur celebrates playing her 1000th pro tour match. PICTURE: Sam Stosur Instagram

GOLD Coast tennis star Sam Stosur for a milestone 1000 matches on the pro tour with no hint of retirement. She reached it at the Brisbane International earlier this week where she lost first round. The ever-positive 2011 US Open champion and current world no. 74 said it wasn’t a “total disaster” and she was happy with “quite a few things that I did out there”. She later posted online: “Thank you to all the fans and all who have been part of my team over the years to get to me to 1000 matches. Here’s to 1000 more.” Having notched $17 million in prizemoney since 1999, why wouldn’t she continue?

HUSH HUSH

WHICH junior colleague at a Gold Coast firm - tagged in a saucy post online by one of her bosses - noted: “I have enough lady juices to make breakfast for two.” It prompted her more senior colleague to reply: “ I actually threw up in my mouth when I read that.” That sparked yet another person to chip in with: “ My eyes!! How can I unread that!! Aaaagh!!”

WHICH Gold Coast entrepreneur is awaiting sign-off from authorities before he can start his new venture but isn’t frustrated saying he understands government can be short-staffed at festive time: “I’m a realist.”