ELIZA PARK OPEN DAY

The 2012 Eliza Park Open Day last Friday was a winner … in every sense of the word.

The stallions looked superb, media celebrity Simon O’Donnell was a terrific MC, a record crowd flocked to Kerrie (over 500), the Living Legends Online Auction again raised much needed funds, the Industry Expo proved to be very popular AND the weather was – ‘miraculous’.

Amazingly, rain was threatening all morning and if you’ll excuse pun, was odds on to put a real dampener on the whole day. However, sunshine arrived with the first trickle of the faithful and held all afternoon.

It certainly portrayed the stars of the show (i.e. the stallions) in the best light and it was difficult to determine (post parade) which of the 10 stallions – Astronomer Royal, Bel Esprit, Bushranger, God’s Own, Magnus, Sharkbite, Shinzig, Statue of Liberty, Wanted and the new boy Moshe – had garnered the best reviews.

Meanwhile, the Industry Expo – featuring ‘marquee displays’ from pretty much every facet of the industry (taxation to nutrition, veterinary to syndication, et al) – was again an added highlight with all 15 ‘outside’ exhibitors ecstatic with the level of interest.

(Every division of the Eliza Park operation – encompassing the four Victorian farms – was also on ‘show’).

The Online Auction – which was enhanced by ‘live’ bids from attendees – ended up being busier than Collins Street at peak hour, but was a lot of fun and raised over $60,000 for Living Legends, the International Home of Rest for Champion Horses. Speaking of which, two of the champs – Rogan Josh and Apache Cat – were front and centre in marquee city and drew a lot of admirers (you’d like one of those in your backyard!).

To top it all off, the entertainment (song and dance man, Alex Kyle) was first class and so were the refreshments … those sausage sandwiches were to die for (and certainly a step up in class from the measly snag outside Bunnings on Father’s Day).

See you next year!