Two year-old Rip Van Winkle colt Slumberland had been touted as a bright
prospect by connections and turning for home he looked the goods, but the
Hawkes Racing prepared Snoopy had other ideas.The son of Lope De Vega unwound a big finish for Dwayne Dunn, laying down the gauntlet to Slumberland before racing away to win by a commanding four lengths.
A half-brother to Group II winner Thump from stakes-winning Flying Spur mare Oomph, Snoopy was a $180,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Patinack Farm draft for Kitchwin Hills and runs for Max Whitby and Neil Werrett.
Bred by Patinack Farm, he was the most expensive yearling from the first crop of Shamardal's Group I winning son Lope de Vega, who has been a regular shuttler to Patinack Farm from his Irish based of Ballylinch Stud.
Snoopy is his first Australian winner and there may be many more to follow if Lope de Vega replicates his Northern Hemisphere success.
Lope de Vega sired 25 first crop winners in Europe last year, four of them Group winners headed by Group I Dewhurst Stakes winner Belardo, recently crowned the Champion European 2YO of 2014.
As a result, Lope de Vega has had a fee increase in Ireland for 2015 rising from 12,500 euros to 40,000 euros which speaks volumes for his achievements!
