Arc pair look solid in preps

Shawanda and Hurricane Run prepared for their clash in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe with solid performances in a pair of course-and-distance Arc trials at Longchamp on Sunday.

While neither was fully wound up for their preps, both scored rather handy victories. The 1-5 Shawanda took the Group 1, $310,000 Prix Vermeille for 3- and 4-year-old fillies, while the 1-10 Hurricane Run won the Group 2, $148,000 Prix Niel for 3-year-old colts and fillies. Meanwhile, the 5-year-old mare Pride upset Alkaased in the Arc prep for older horses, the Group 2, $148,000 Prix Foy.

Shawanda maintained her distinction as Europe's leading 3-year-old filly with her three-quarter-length Vermeille victory over Royal Highness. Winner of the Irish Oaks, Shawanda is trained by Alain de Royer-Dupre and was ridden by Christophe Soumillon. She led after three furlongs, quickened clear at the quarter pole, and was not tried unduly, getting the 1 1/2 miles in 2:32.00 on good to soft ground. Ladbrokes quotes her as the 3-1 second choice for the Arc on Oct. 2, when she will try to emulate her sire, Sinndar, the Arc winner in 2000.

Hurricane Run, an Andre Fabre-trained son of 1999 Arc winner Montjeu, was marginally more impressive in landing the Prix Niel. Having prompted the pace of ultimate third-place finisher Perfect Hedge, Hurricane Run drew clear through Longchamp's 2 1/2-furlong stretch to defeat Runaway by three lengths, stopping the clock under Kieren Fallon in 2:30.70. The winner of the Irish Derby, Hurricane Run is Ladbroke's Arc favorite at 5-2.

Pride, a daughter of the 1997 Arc winner, Peintre Celebre, prevailed in the Prix Foy by 2 1/2 lengths over Alkaased, also trained by Royer-Dupre. Winner of the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, she was sent off at 4-1 after her Aug. 21 triumph at Deauville in the Group 2 Prix Jean Romanet at 1 1/4 miles. Ridden by Christophe Lemaire, she produced the best 1 1 1/2-mile time of the day, 2:29.20. Ladbroke's has pegged her at 20-1 for the Arc, with Alkaased at 14-1. Other Arc prices from Ladbroke's are Motivator at 7-2, Azamour at 6-1, and defending champ Bago at 8-1.

* Team Valor announced Sunday that Australian ace Greg Childs has been booked to ride their Melbourne Cup hopeful Sweet Stream in the two-mile Group 1 handicap at Flemington on Nov. 1.

"We wanted an experienced local rider, and Greg Childs comes highly recommended," said Team Valor's president, Barry Irwin.

At the same time, trainer John Hammond said Sweet Stream would not have another race before the Melbourne Cup but would go directly to Australia off her sharp score in last Wednesday's Group 2 Park Hill Stakes at Doncaster.