The moment Zac Purton returned to scale, he leaned down and gave Little Paradise an affectionate pat, a quiet gesture that said as much as the roar from the Sha Tin grandstand. Trainer Jimmy Ting was all smiles nearby, while the crowd buzzed with the sense that something important was falling into place. With an emphatic win on Sunday, Little Paradise moved firmly into contention for the Hong Kong Classic Mile, setting the tone for a meeting rich in quality and narrative.
Little Paradise crowned a remarkable afternoon for Purton, who steered home five winners, but it was the Toronado gelding’s performance in the Class 2 Racing Club Cup Handicap (1400m) that lingered longest. Carrying 122lb, the four-year-old travelled smoothly before asserting late to defeat Infinite Resolve and Mid Winter Wind, stopping the clock in 1m 20.84s and earning a HK$1 million PPG bonus. The victory over seasoned rivals confirmed his status as a rising force among the generation eyeing the Hong Kong Classic Mile on 1 February.
Purton was generous in his assessment afterwards, praising the gelding’s temperament and progression. He spoke of a horse learning to relax, one that delivers when asked and continues to find improvement with each outing. For Ting, the win reinforced a long-held belief that a mile would ultimately prove Little Paradise’s ideal test. The trainer noted how the colt has matured, shedding early keenness for composure, a trait that could be decisive when stepping up in distance.
Hong Kong Classic Mile contenders clash again
If Little Paradise underlined his credentials, Invincible Ibis ensured the Hong Kong Classic Mile picture remained finely balanced. Earlier on the card, Mark Newnham’s four-year-old produced a stirring finish in the Class 3 (Restricted) Pak Shek Au Handicap (1600m). Settling at the rear, Invincible Ibis threaded his way into the clear under Hugh Bowman and surged late to edge out Beauty Bolt by a neck in 1m 34.18s.
Bowman admitted he did not expect to be so far back but was impressed by the colt’s willingness to settle and his capacity to sustain a long run. When the moment came inside the final 100 metres, Invincible Ibis responded with authority, showcasing both stamina and resolve. Newnham echoed that sentiment, highlighting not just the horse’s ability but his determination when the pressure was applied. With four consecutive wins now on the board, Invincible Ibis heads toward the Hong Kong Classic Mile in formidable form.
The meeting also had broader championship implications. Newnham reclaimed the lead in the trainers’ standings when Lucky Sam Gor captured the Class 3 Stanley Gap Handicap (1400m) under Matthew Poon, nudging his tally ahead by the narrowest of margins. Purton, meanwhile, extended his advantage in the jockeys’ race, his five victories underlining a level of consistency that continues to define his season.
Beyond the headline acts, the card offered depth and variety. Snowthorn, Majestic Valour, Robot Star and China Win all added to Purton’s personal haul, each success carrying its own story of development and patience. Robot Star hinted at greater things over longer trips, while China Win, a challenging but talented stayer, finally put his ability together when the race unfolded to suit.
There were also moments of long-awaited satisfaction. Young Emperor delivered a surprise victory in the Class 3 Hung Mui Kuk Handicap (1200m), while veteran Money Catcher returned to the winner’s circle for the first time in three years in the Class 3 Pak Sha O Handicap (1800m). Once placed at the highest level, the eight-year-old rolled back the years with a powerful late run, rewarding patience and careful management.
Younger horses made their mark too, with Elite Golf impressing in the Class 4 Wu Kai Sha Handicap (1200m) and Rezeki breaking through for his first local success in the Wu Kau Tang Handicap (1400m), both performances suggesting further progress ahead.
As attention now turns toward the build-up to the Hong Kong Classic Mile, Sunday’s Sha Tin meeting felt like a pivotal chapter rather than a standalone story. Little Paradise and Invincible Ibis have taken different paths to the same destination, and their next encounter promises to be one of the most compelling mile contests of the season.
Hong Kong racing continues at Happy Valley on Wednesday, 14 January, with the January Cup Handicap (1800m) providing the next stage for emerging and established talents alike.
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