LITTLE PARADISE GIVES TRAINER JIMMY TING THE MOST IMPORTANT WIN OF HIS CAREER TO DATE

By Hong Kong Jockey Club (Leo Schlink) | Sunday, February 1, 2026

Emphatically dispelling stamina doubts, Little Paradise surged to a devastating victory in the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (1 February) to underline imposing credentials for the remainder of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series.

Trained by Jimmy Ting, who won this race on Industrialist in 2000 when it was known as the Hong Kong Classic Trial, and ridden by Vincent Ho, Little Paradise weaved his way through the field over the final 300m, before explosively accelerating to a two-length margin over Infinite Resolve, with a further half-length back to Beauty Bolt, in 1m 33.31s.

Sagacious Life finished fourth after a three-wide trip from barrier 13, while Top Dragon finished solidly for fifth.

Settling in tenth place, Little Paradise was given a patient ride by Ho – who won the Hong Kong Classic Mile in 2020 as part of Golden Sixty’s clean sweep of the series – before being initially blocked for a run at the top of the straight.

Ho changed direction twice in search of clear running before Little Paradise stormed to his sixth win from nine starts – clocking a searing 22.51 for the final 400m, and 11.16s for the closing 200m – while giving the impression 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 well within his grasp.

Ho believes Little Paradise’s laidback disposition will allow the Toronado gelding to cope with 1800m and beyond.

“Today, he relaxed very well and at the top of the straight, I was looking to come out and I could see Zac in the three-wide position (on Sagacious Life) and for some time I needed to hold him back because the horse in front of me wasn’t going anywhere, but luckily we ended up having room to track Zac up and move to his outside,” Ho said.

“Once I pressed the button, he just kicked it. He finished off very well, so he can definitely handle a mile without a problem, and I told Jimmy even for 1800m, he will also produce that sort of kick as long as we relax him early.

“So, I’m looking forward to the (Hong Kong) Classic Cup and the (BMW Hong Kong) Derby. I’m very grateful for the support I’ve had in coming back from injury and to win the (Hong Kong) Classic Mile is encouraging and I’m always grateful for everything.

“Little Paradise is a very nice horse. The main thing stepping up to the mile for him was to relax no matter what and I didn’t rush him because we couldn’t and we know he has a really good turn of foot from his last run.

“He’s a really flexible horse as well. If the pace is slow, he can be very close to the speed and still give you a give turn of foot when you ask him. So, he’s a really nice horse to handle. Also, thanks to Jimmy and (owner) Mr Ko for the opportunity.”

Celebrating the most important success of his training career, Ting said: “He’s a very good horse, but at the last 300m I got a bit scared because he got stuck (behind runners) but when he got a gap, Vincent Ho said he was flying home. He’s a very good horse. It’s fantastic.”

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