Lechuza Caracas received three goals but didn’t need them as they rode to a one-sided 17-10 win over a lethargic Audi foursome Saturday morning in the finals of the 26-Goal Butler Handicap at the International Polo Club in Wellington.
First chukker goals from Sapo Caset, Guille Aguero and Nicolas Espain put Lechuza in front 6-0, as a disorganized Audi attack couldn’t penetrate its defense.
Goals from Caset and team captain Victor Vargas stretched the lead to 8-0 before Audi finally got on the board. Gonzalito Pieres scored Audi’s first goal from the field while Paco de Narvaez converted a penalty shot as Audi trailed after two chukkers, 8-2.
Pieres added another goal on a penalty shot to open the third period, but goals from Aguero and Caset kept Lechuza securely on top, 10-3 at the end of the first half.
Two more goals from Pieres highlighted the fourth chukker for Audi, but a goal from Caset added to the Lechuza total, still ahead at 11-5.
Pieres opened the scoring again in the fifth chukker, but goals from Vargas and Caset kept Audi struggling a balanced attack. Pieres added another goal to the Audi total on a penalty shot but was answered by goals from Caset and Aguero. A final goal from Audi’s Paco de Narvaez ended the chukker with Lechuza charging off with a commanding 15-8 advantage.
Aguero added two more Lechuza goals in the final chukker. Audi could muster no more than single goals from Pieres and de Narvaez and the final horn mercifully sounded with a 17-10 Lechuza victory.
Caset scored six goals for the win. Aguero scored five times and was named MVP. Nicolas Espain added a single goal and team captain Victor Vargas scored twice.
Pieres led all scoring with seven goals, and his mare Pampeana was named Best Playing Pony, but other than that there wasn’t a lot to be happy about in the Audi camp. Paco de Narvaez added three goals in the loss.
Play will begin in the 2008 U. S. Open Championship on Sunday with a noon game between Isla Carroll and Bendabout followed by a 3pm showdown between Zacara and Gold Cup finalist Skeeterville.