ZILLMAN SADDLES UP FOR CHALLENGE
THE star-studded line-up for the megabucks Magic Millions horse racing and sales festival keeps growing, with former Gold Coast Titans star Will Zillman saddling up for polo against retired rugby league legend Billy Slater.
Miss World Australia 2008 Laura Dundovic has also been added to a glamour roll call of royalty and racing heavyweights who descend on the Gold Coast as event ambassadors from January 3-14 for the Magic Millions yearling sales extravaganza.
Zillman, who played three seasons with the Canberra Raiders and nine at the Titans, has been running a rider training business from a Currumbin property since his 2017 retirement from rugby league.
But the 33-year-old is not confident about debuting in the January 5 polo, which must be played righthanded.
“I’m a lefty so I’m not going to be that flash,’’ he said.
Zillman, who is also studying for a veterinary science degree, said his involvement came after Slater went riding with him on the Gold Coast in January this year and invited him to play in 2020.
He joins a talented polo playing line-up at Doug Jennings Park including royal Zara Tindall, plus two of the world’s best jockeys in Frankie Dettori and champion horse Winx’s main rider Hugh Bowman. Argentine polo pro and face of Ralph Lauren Nacho Figueras, once dubbed the David Beckham of the sport, will also return.
Along with four polo matches, new offfield polo entertainment this year includes an Outback Spectacular horsemanship showcase, a kids fun zone with miniature horse rides and live country music.