Snoopy set for consolation at Eagle Farm

Snoopy will be out to enhance his record on Eagle Farm’s new track in the UMS School Wear Handicap.

Eagle Farm trainer Chris Munce hopes to put aside the disappointment of missing the chance of a big pay day for Snoopy with a consolation win for the evergreen gelding.

Snoopy was set to run in the $105,000 Open Handicap at the Gold Coast a fortnight ago but was scratched when he drew the outside barrier in a big field.

Instead he will contest the UMS School Wear Handicap (1200m) at Eagle Farm where he holds the track and distance record for the new track.

Snoopy will be having his first run since just failing to grab Tarzan on the line when second in the Tim Bell Memorial Handicap at Doomben on August 3.

The now seven-year-old was originally trained by Hawkes Racing, winning in Melbourne and Sydney for the partnership.

Snoopy is raced by Munce’s long-time friend Max Whitby who decided the gelding’s future was in Queensland.

Since joining Munce, Snoopy has been a consistent performer, winning at Eagle Farm earlier this year.

He has also been placed in the stakes races, the George Moore Quality and Bat Out Hell Quality.

Snoopy has shown a distinct liking for the new Eagle Farm racing surface with a win and a second from his only two starts.

In his Eagle Farm win, Snoopy ran a record 1 minute 08.79 seconds which would win 95 per cent of 1200m races run anywhere.

Munce said he would love Snoopy to run a similar time on Saturday but the times had been considerably slower at Eagle Farm of late.

He said it had been disappointing to miss the Gold Coast race but Snoopy did race well fresh.

“He was probably a run short when unplaced in the Ramornie Handicap at Grafton but it was still a very good run as he copped a check in the final 100m,” Munce said.

“He had won a trial before that so he has been going well.”

Munce showed his respect for Snoopy by paying $60,000 for his half-brother by More Than Ready at the Inglis Easter Sales this year.

Snoopy’s dam Oomph who is by the top broodmare sire Flying Spur has been a solid producer.

It will be a big month for Munce as he takes over about 25 horses trained by Liam Birchley who is stepping away from training.

Munce will now have upwards of 70 horses in work.

“Allan Russell who has worked for Liam for years is coming across to work with us and it will be a busy time,” Munce said.

“It should be in place by the end of the month.”