Little Paradise Aims for Glory in Hong Kong Classic Mile at Sha Tin

Jimmy Ting is chasing a career-defining moment this Sunday at Sha Tin as his star colt, Little Paradise, prepares for the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile. The five-time winner has risen rapidly through the ranks, moving from Class 4 to Class 2 in just eight starts, and now faces the biggest test of his young career.

Little Paradise, an explosive son of Toronado, has been earmarked for this race since his debut win over 1200m at Sha Tin last March. Ting has meticulously planned his campaign, aiming to peak at the opening leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series, and hopes the colt can convert his potential into a landmark victory.

“I hope he can run well. I’ve already planned nearly a whole year for this race. This has been in our minds since he won his first race,” Ting said. “We started preparing him back then to target the Four-Year-Old Classic Series.”

Little Paradise, rated 95 in Hong Kong, is owned by Ko Kam Piu, whose iconic light violet and gold silks famously won the G1 King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2012 with Zac Purton aboard Little Bridge. Purton, a three-time winner on Little Paradise, had first call this weekend but opted to ride 97-rated Sagacious Life, opening the door for Vincent Ho. Ho gave Little Paradise a solid gallop on Saturday morning (24 January), clocking 53.9 seconds over the dirt at Sha Tin.

“I was happy with his gallop. Afterward, Vincent said ‘he’s a nice horse and he keeps improving’. It was for him to get to know the horse, and he will give him one more gallop on Wednesday,” Ting added.

Although Little Paradise has yet to race beyond 1400m, Ting is confident in his stamina for the Classic Mile. The remaining legs of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series — the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) on 1 March and the HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) on 22 March — are still uncertain.

“I think he is still improving. I hope he can keep going. Before his last race, I thought he could win, but I didn’t think he could win so easily. It exceeded my expectations. I think he can handle the mile, but I’m not sure how he will go further than it,” Ting said.

Ting, 53, has trained 200 winners in Hong Kong. Beginning as an apprentice jockey in 1988 under Brian Kan, he transitioned to assistant trainer roles before earning a full licence in the 2018/19 season. His first runner, Triumphant Jewel, marked the start of a campaign that saw him accrue 38 wins, while his standout victory came in the 2021 G2 Sprint Cup with Amazing Star.

“I’ve enjoyed it. Brian Kan was a very nice trainer and he took care of all of the apprentice jockeys, his jockeys, his staff and everyone. I learnt a lot from him and many trainers – Michael Chang, Danny Shum, Francis Lui and David Hill,” Ting reflected.

Little Paradise’s appearance in the Hong Kong Classic Mile represents more than a race—it is the culmination of meticulous planning, careful preparation, and the hope of a trainer aiming for one of Hong Kong’s most prestigious honours.

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