CAR RACES HORSE AT SPIT FOR ULTIMATE BRAGGING RIGHTS
IT was horse versus horsepower at The Spit yesterday as local Supercars stalwart Paul Morris took on one of polo’s best.
The former V8 Supercars driver and Bathurst winner strapped in to a brand new McLaren 720S to test who would be faster – a polo pony or a sports car – in a 150m sprint.
The $700,000 McLaren nosed ahead of Gold Coaster Indiana Bennetto and her trusty mare Tui, 12, but the race wasn’t easily won.
“I’ve raced a lot of things before but I’ve never raced a horse, I’ve never been that close to a horse in my life!” Morris said afterwards.
“When the horse took off I was a bit slow out of the gates and I had to really get my boot into it to catch up. The tyres on the grass don’t hook up as well as the horseshoes.
“I’d have to have my wits about me to beat her (next time).”
The pair will have another chance to square off, with a redemption race planned during McLaren Gold Coast Polo by the Sea on June 1. The challengers will go headto-head in a best of three on the day from 2.20pm.
Bennetto, 25, will be the first and only female player to compete at Polo by the Sea but said she didn’t mind taking on the blokes on the field.
“Polo is a serious contact sport so, especially for a lady, you have to be really gungho to get out there,” she said.
“It’s like rugby on horseback – it’s very competitive.
“To be invited to a day like that is incredible and to represent the other women in the game, I’m very excited.”
Bennetto’s determination has already seen her represent the Australian Ladies Polo Team several times.