Little Paradise storms to Hong Kong Classic Mile win, giving Jimmy Ting biggest career triumph

Trainer Jimmy Ting Koon-ho landed the biggest win of his career on Sunday when Little Paradise stormed home to claim the Hong Kong Classic Mile, instantly announcing himself as a leading contender for the 2026 BMW Hong Kong Derby.

Twenty-six years after Ting won the same race as a jockey – back when it was known as the Derby Trial – Little Paradise produced an electric turn of foot to score an authoritative victory in the opening leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series.

There were few excuses behind the winner. In fact, with 300 meters to run, it briefly looked as though Little Paradise might become the hard-luck story of the race when Vincent Ho Chak-yiu found himself caught behind a wall of horses.

“He is a very good horse, but with 300 to go I was a bit scared because he was stuck,” Ting said. “But when he got a gap … he flew home.”

Starting third favorite, Little Paradise was stepping up to 1600 meters for the first time. He relaxed beautifully toward the rear of the field before unleashing a race-winning sprint late.

The win was Ho’s second Classic Mile success after Golden Sixty’s triumph in 2019 – a result that launched both of their careers. The leading local rider will now look to follow a similar path with Little Paradise, with the Classic Cup (1800m) on March 1 and the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) on March 22 next. 

“The aim when stepping up to a mile was to get him to relax in the race,” Ho said. “I was just behind midfield and didn’t rush him, but we knew he had a really good turn of foot from last start. He is a really flexible horse as well. If the pace is slow, he can be close to the speed and give you a turn of foot if you ask him, so he is a nice horse to handle.”

Infinite Resolve ran on strongly for second and Beauty Bolt battled on for third, while the two betting favorites finished unplaced.

Second favorite Sagacious Life – the Brazilian import leading jockey Zac Purton chose to ride over six rivals – traveled wide after jumping from barrier 13 and finished fourth. Top pick Invincible Ibis was taken back to last by Hugh Bowman and ran on for sixth in a respectable Derby trial.

Still, as Derby trials go, Little Paradise left little doubt he will be a major player on the big day.

“He finished off very well,” Ho said. “He can definitely handle a mile very well and he can definitely produce that kick at 1800 meters if we relax him, so I am looking forward to the Classic Cup and the Derby.”