Little Paradise announced himself as a genuine Classic contender with a decisive success in the Hong Kong Classic Mile, producing a performance of authority at Sha Tin on Sunday, 1 February. The HK$13 million feature for four-year-olds was run at a true tempo, and the Jimmy Ting-trained gelding settled lingering questions about his stamina with a devastating finish that marked him as a leading figure for the remainder of the series.
Settled well back in the field, Little Paradise was partnered with patience by Vincent Ho, who resisted the temptation to chase the speed early. The Toronado gelding travelled comfortably in tenth place before the race took shape inside the final 400 metres. Briefly held up at a crucial stage, Ho was forced to switch course twice before daylight finally appeared.
Once clear, the response was instant. Little Paradise lengthened powerfully, surging past his rivals to score by two lengths from Infinite Resolve, with Beauty Bolt staying on strongly a further half-length away in third. The winning time of 1 minute 33.31 seconds was underlined by a sharp closing sectional, confirming the impression of a horse still on the rise.
Sagacious Life, who endured a demanding three-wide passage from a wide draw, battled on for fourth ahead of Top Dragon in fifth.
Hong Kong Classic Mile sets tone for Classic Series
The Hong Kong Classic Mile has long been a key guide to the city’s four-year-old honours, and Little Paradise’s victory carried historical resonance for his trainer. Ting captured this race 25 years ago with Industrialist, and Sunday’s success stands as the most significant of his career to date.
Ho, who famously swept the Four-Year-Old Classic Series aboard Golden Sixty in 2020, was full of praise for the gelding’s composure and turn of foot.
“He relaxed beautifully and that was the key,” Ho explained after the race. “When the gap came, he really exploded. The way he finished tells me stepping up in distance won’t be an issue as long as he continues to settle.”
Ting admitted to a moment of anxiety when his charge was searching for room late, but relief quickly turned to delight. “When Vincent said he was flying once he got clear, I knew we had it,” he said. “He’s a very good horse.”
With the Hong Kong Classic Cup over 1800 metres and the Hong Kong Derby over 2000 metres still to come, Little Paradise now looms as a formidable presence in the months ahead.
Beyond the feature, the Sha Tin meeting offered strong supporting performances across the card. John Size enjoyed a productive afternoon, registering multiple winners to continue his steady climb up the trainers’ standings, while Mark Newnham and Francis Lui were also among those to leave their mark with notable victories in higher-grade contests.
Attention now turns to the midweek action at Happy Valley, where the season continues to gather momentum as the Classic narrative begins to take clearer shape.
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