On the eve of the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale in Sydney, the Hong Kong Classic Mile delivered a stirring moment at Sha Tin as Little Paradise produced a finish that defied logic and distance doubts alike. Seemingly marooned near the rear rounding the home turn, the Toronado colt unleashed a remarkable late surge to land the opening leg of Hong Kong’s prestigious Four-Year-Old Series in emphatic style.
It marked the third victory in four years for an Inglis graduate in the Hong Kong Classic Mile, following the recent successes of Voyage Bubble and Helios Express, underlining the enduring influence of the Classic Sale on elite international racing.
Despite lingering questions over his ability to see out the 1600 metres, Little Paradise answered them decisively. Trained by Jimmy Ting, the colt was second last on the bend and endured a chequered run through the straight, but once daylight appeared, he accelerated sharply, drawing away to score by a widening two lengths. The performance carried both authority and theatre, leaving seasoned racegoers momentarily stunned.
Infinite Resolve, trained by Mark Newnham, filled the runner-up position after a strong and honest effort. The Snitzel gelding, a $350,000 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale purchase for Apollo Stud Farm, briefly looked a threat before the winner’s closing burst proved decisive.
Hong Kong Classic Mile reinforces Inglis graduate dominance
Little Paradise’s journey to the Hong Kong Classic Mile began at the 2023 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, where he was offered by Wayne and Pauline Alchin’s Carramar Park on behalf of their son, Tim, who bred the colt. He was secured for $270,000 by Chris McAnulty of Dullingham in partnership with Bond Li of Legends Bloodstock.
The victory carried a deeply personal significance for the Alchin family. Tim Alchin had purchased the colt’s dam, Devil In Her Heart, in foal with Little Paradise for just $27,500 via Inglis Digital in early 2021 — a decision that has now delivered one of the sport’s most treasured outcomes.
With momentum firmly on his side, Little Paradise is set to progress to the Hong Kong Classic Cup over 1800 metres before a planned tilt at the Hong Kong Derby on March 22, where he now stands as the leading contender.
Both McAnulty and Alchin were on course at Sha Tin to witness the triumph firsthand.
“For him to be where he was on the home corner and to still win like he did is pretty unbelievable,” McAnulty said. “It’s immensely gratifying for Bond and myself to have identified him as a yearling and see him develop into a top-level winner here in Hong Kong.
“The plan was always to trade him to Hong Kong. We bought him from the Inglis Classic, sent him to Bjorn Baker at Warwick Farm, and once he won his trial first-up, Jimmy Ting came and inspected him with a client ready.”
For Ting, the result carried its own emotional weight. The trainer had won the Hong Kong Classic Mile as a jockey 26 years earlier, making this victory a full-circle moment.
“This is my dream and it’s come true,” Ting said. “I’m so happy for the owner. I didn’t think before the race he would win so easily, and in the last 300 metres I was worried he couldn’t find a run — but once he got clear, it was all over.”
An emotional Tim Alchin struggled to put the experience into words.
“This is my first trip to Hong Kong. I’ve always wanted to come, and this felt like the perfect excuse, win or lose,” he said. “For a smaller stud, this is just unreal.
“He’s the first horse I’ve ever sold myself, and to see that foal become a Group 1 winner here is something everyone dreams about.”
Carramar Park will continue to feature prominently in upcoming sales, offering a Farnan half-brother to Little Paradise as Lot 268 at the 2026 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale on March 29–30. The operation will also present three yearlings at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, with inspections commencing on February 3 at Riverside Stables ahead of the February 8–10 sale dates. Two supplementary entries have also been confirmed for the Classic Sale, further strengthening the catalogue.
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