Star Performers of the Weekend – Coral Racing Club Members have their say!
04 Oct 2023
From Newmarket's Cambridgeshire card on Saturday, to the six Group 1 races at Longchamp on Sunday, including the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, last weekend was arguably one of the most exciting couple of days of racing we've had all season.
So on Monday we asked you, our Coral Racing Club members, to tell us who your Star Performer of the Weekend was and why.
It was no surprise to see ACE IMPACT'S unbelievable Arc performance top the list of suggestions, after the colt extended his unbeaten record to six with an incredible turn of foot in the final two furlongs to win the prestigious Group 1 quite cosily in the end. Then just over an hour later, Coral Racing Club Trainer, John Quinn, had his stable star HIGHFIELD PRINCESS put in probably one of the most determined runs we've seen all season to grind out a victory in the Prix de l'Abbaye to take her career Group race victory tally to a remarkable six.
Check out what members had to say as we pick out some of the best entries below.
Middle Park Stakes – Vandeek
Vandeek was a seriously impressive winner in the Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday. A strong 5/4 favourite before the off, the two-year-old colt was held up at the rear of the field for two-thirds of the race, before jockey James Doyle pushed him along in the centre of the course from 2f. Vandeek never looked back from there, hitting the front a furlong from home and powering through to win going away by over two lengths.
Roy from the West Midlands believes that Vandeek "is already a true star" following his impressive victory at the weekend, and it's hard to argue with that assessment, given how many of you suggested Vandeek as the Star Performer of the Weekend. Meanwhile, Matthew from Berkshire, thinks that "Vandeek is pure class" and he can't understand why he's going for another sprinting campaign next season, suggesting instead that "he will definitely get seven furlongs and has all winter to strengthen up". Do you think the Commonwealth Cup is the right target for Vandeek, or should he be stepped up in trip?
Prix Marcel Boussac – Opera Singer
Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore combined with yet another Group 1 winner on Sunday, taking the Prix Marcel Boussac with favourite Opera Singer. The filly made almost all of the running in the race, and never looked in any sort of danger throughout the contest. She demonstrated her class, and the reason for her favouritism, and drew well clear, winning by an eventual five lengths.
Winning by the distance that she did, it's no surprise that Coral Racing Club members put Opera Singer up as their star performer. Peter from Gloucestershire believes she could "be a Classic contender" next year. Martin from Somerset says that she "looked an absolute machine" and that "she's definitely one to follow".
Will you be following her into the 1000 Guineas or the Oaks next year?
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe – Ace Impact
Ace Impact was the most popular entry for this weekend's Star Performer, and that's no shock given the impressive nature in Europe's most prestigious race.
The undefeated colt powered home after being positioned in towards the rear by jockey Cristian Demuro before being switched out to the middle of the track at the two furlong marker. He romped home from there showing an electric turn of foot down he outside, romping home to beat British raider, and second favourite, Westover. He certainly proved all of the doubters wrong, and he shouldn't be underestimated again in his career following that dominant victory.
It wasn't only the manner of Ace Impact's victory that was incredible, but also the caliber of opponent he faced on the day. This was a sentiment that Steven from Hampshire echoed, saying that "he was a different class to the opposition, which included Group 1 winners!". Ian from Gloucester was another member who was shocked at how easy he made it look, saying "he showed a devastating turn of foot to put the race to bed, especially considering the opposition".
The ultimate question now is will Ace Impact continue next season as a four-year-old, or will he be retired?
Prix de l'Abbaye – Highfield Princess
It was certainly a day for the favourites at Longchamp, as Highfield Princess, the fourth market leader of the day, stayed on strongly to win a sixth Group contest of her career for John Quinn. The star of Highfield Stables chased down outsider Perdika inside the final furlong to score by a length.
Join us next Monday as we'll be back to ask you who your Star Performer of the Weekend was from the likes of Ascot, Newmarket and Redcar.
So on Monday we asked you, our Coral Racing Club members, to tell us who your Star Performer of the Weekend was and why.
It was no surprise to see ACE IMPACT'S unbelievable Arc performance top the list of suggestions, after the colt extended his unbeaten record to six with an incredible turn of foot in the final two furlongs to win the prestigious Group 1 quite cosily in the end. Then just over an hour later, Coral Racing Club Trainer, John Quinn, had his stable star HIGHFIELD PRINCESS put in probably one of the most determined runs we've seen all season to grind out a victory in the Prix de l'Abbaye to take her career Group race victory tally to a remarkable six.
Check out what members had to say as we pick out some of the best entries below.
Middle Park Stakes – Vandeek
Vandeek was a seriously impressive winner in the Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday. A strong 5/4 favourite before the off, the two-year-old colt was held up at the rear of the field for two-thirds of the race, before jockey James Doyle pushed him along in the centre of the course from 2f. Vandeek never looked back from there, hitting the front a furlong from home and powering through to win going away by over two lengths.
Roy from the West Midlands believes that Vandeek "is already a true star" following his impressive victory at the weekend, and it's hard to argue with that assessment, given how many of you suggested Vandeek as the Star Performer of the Weekend. Meanwhile, Matthew from Berkshire, thinks that "Vandeek is pure class" and he can't understand why he's going for another sprinting campaign next season, suggesting instead that "he will definitely get seven furlongs and has all winter to strengthen up". Do you think the Commonwealth Cup is the right target for Vandeek, or should he be stepped up in trip?
Prix Marcel Boussac – Opera Singer
Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore combined with yet another Group 1 winner on Sunday, taking the Prix Marcel Boussac with favourite Opera Singer. The filly made almost all of the running in the race, and never looked in any sort of danger throughout the contest. She demonstrated her class, and the reason for her favouritism, and drew well clear, winning by an eventual five lengths.
Winning by the distance that she did, it's no surprise that Coral Racing Club members put Opera Singer up as their star performer. Peter from Gloucestershire believes she could "be a Classic contender" next year. Martin from Somerset says that she "looked an absolute machine" and that "she's definitely one to follow".
Will you be following her into the 1000 Guineas or the Oaks next year?
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe – Ace Impact
Ace Impact was the most popular entry for this weekend's Star Performer, and that's no shock given the impressive nature in Europe's most prestigious race.
The undefeated colt powered home after being positioned in towards the rear by jockey Cristian Demuro before being switched out to the middle of the track at the two furlong marker. He romped home from there showing an electric turn of foot down he outside, romping home to beat British raider, and second favourite, Westover. He certainly proved all of the doubters wrong, and he shouldn't be underestimated again in his career following that dominant victory.
It wasn't only the manner of Ace Impact's victory that was incredible, but also the caliber of opponent he faced on the day. This was a sentiment that Steven from Hampshire echoed, saying that "he was a different class to the opposition, which included Group 1 winners!". Ian from Gloucester was another member who was shocked at how easy he made it look, saying "he showed a devastating turn of foot to put the race to bed, especially considering the opposition".
The ultimate question now is will Ace Impact continue next season as a four-year-old, or will he be retired?
Prix de l'Abbaye – Highfield Princess
It was certainly a day for the favourites at Longchamp, as Highfield Princess, the fourth market leader of the day, stayed on strongly to win a sixth Group contest of her career for John Quinn. The star of Highfield Stables chased down outsider Perdika inside the final furlong to score by a length.
Join us next Monday as we'll be back to ask you who your Star Performer of the Weekend was from the likes of Ascot, Newmarket and Redcar.
Share
