MAGIC MILLIONS BUCKET BRIGADE
ROYAL ZARA TINDALL LEADS APPEAL FOR FIRE-RAVAGED TOWNS WHAT TO WEAR TO THE POLO HOW TO BACK A WINNER WHAT THE NEW SUMMER CARNIVAL MEANS TO THE GOLD COAST
ROYALTY and racing stars warmed up for the Magic Millions Polo on the Gold Coast yesterday – but their hearts and thoughts were with victims and rural firefighters further south.
“Some of the images we have seen from the bushfires are just indescribable,” the Queen’s granddaughter Zara Tindall said.
She will be among the celebrity ambassadors including Winx jockey Hugh Bowman, the world’s greatest hoop
Frankie Dettori and Argentinian polo heart-throb Nacho Figueras helping to raise funds for rural firefighters and bushfire victims during the weeklong Magic Millions carnival that starts with the polo tomorrow.
“We just want to do something that we can to help in any way possible,” said Ms Tindall, who is in Australia with former England World Cup rugby star husband Mike and children Mia, 5, and baby Lena, 1.
“We have never experienced anything like that force of nature that is out of control,” said husband Mike of the devastation.
Former State of Origin and Melbourne Storm legend Billy Slater will be among those celebrities carrying collection tins through the VIP tents ahead of his second year on the polo field.
“Australia is going through a really tough time and I think everyone has been affected by it,” he said.
“The equine industry, racing and polo, are in the thick of it because they live in the bush.”
But despite the crisis he believed people in the horse industry wanted the carnival to go ahead.
“This is a great week,” Mr Slater said. “It is also a great platform to raise money for not just the people who have lost homes and loved ones but those fighting the fires.”
The Magic Millions Polo launches a week of events around the yearling sale and culminating with the $10 million race day on Saturday.
Magic Millions co-owner Katie Page dedicated the carnival to raising funds for bushfire victims and firefighters.
She said she and husband and co-owner Gerry Harvey were “absolutely devastated” by the fires and “doing our best like every business is” to help.
Former Miss Universe Australia Laura Dundovic will also be rattling a collection tin at the polo. She said the fires had affected the mood of everyone she knew.
“For the volunteer firefighters it is a full-time job at the moment and I think raising money is a natural thing to do. Look at all the areas that need our help because these fires are just so huge,” she said.