WELCOME TO 2012

Well, Christmas is just about upon us and for those of us in the thoroughbred industry, yuletide beckons much more than a tubby bloke in a red suit.

The Gold Coast Magic Millions kicks off on 11 January and Eliza Park will consign 15 youngsters north, including sons and daughters of Bel Esprit, Magnus, Statue of Liberty (his first Eliza Park crop), Lonhro, Testa Rossa, Duke of Marmalade, Commands, Ad Valorem, Bernardini, Street Sense, Hard Spun and Kheleyf (click here for Eliza Park entries which currently include seven updates since the catalogue was released).

Then it’s on to the Sydney Classic (22-24 January) where an even dozen will venture to the Inglis sales complex, including pairs from Bel Esprit and Statue of Liberty, along with yearlings by Magnus, Written Tycoon, Shinzig, Lonhro, Henrythenavigator, Elvstroem, Snippetson and Kheleyf (click here).

In the past two years, Eliza Park has enjoyed considerable success across the pond and will again take a select group to New Zealand for its national series (30 January-3 February): leading the way are progeny by Exceed And Excel (Lot 68 being a close relation to Black Caviar), Lonhro, Sebring and Northern Meteor (click here) while there is also a God’s Own half brother to two Group winners in the Select Session (click here).

However, it’s back on home turf – and in Adelaide – where Eliza Park will again have its largest representation.

At the 2012 Inglis Melbourne Premier (27 February-1 March – click here) Eliza Park will be represented by no less than 64 yearlings, while at the Adelaide Magic Millions (13-14 March – click here), 36 will make the trek to Morphettville.

In Melbourne, there are 10 yearlings by Magnus, 8 by Bel Esprit and 6 by Statue of Liberty, first crop progeny of Astronomer Royal and Sharkbite, along with youngsters by Fastnet Rock, Lonhro, Exceed And Excel, Testa Rossa, High Chaparral, Commands, Dehere, Choisir, Henrythenavigator, Hussonet, Stratum, Street Boss, Charge Forward, Dubawi, Dylan Thomas, Duke of Marmalade, Pins, Reset, Sebring, Starcraft, Myboycharlie, Northern Meteor, Not A Single Doubt, Any Given Saturday and Hard Spun.

Meanwhile, in Adelaide, the lineup features 6 yearlings by Written Tycoon, 5 by Magnus and 4 by Bel Esprit, along with sons and daughters of Astronomer Royal, Sharkbite, Shinzig, Statue of Liberty, God’s Own, Desert Sun, Stratum, Strategic, Duke of Marmalade, Al Maher, Beautiful Crown, Bianconi, Churchill Downs, Clangalang, Hard Spun, Husson, Murtajil and Manner Hill.

Statue of Liberty yearlings are returning to the sales ring