Little Paradise Much the Best in Hong Kong Classic Mile

[Wandering Eyes]

The Jimmy Ting-trained Little Paradise ran out an impressive winner of Sunday's HK$13-million Hong Kong Classic Mile at Sha Tin, emphatically defying stamina doubts as he forged clear in the final furlong to land the spoils by two lengths. Infinite Resolve (Snitzel) finished second, with another half a length back to the former Joseph O'Brien trainee, Beauty Bolt (Night Of Thunder), in third.

“Today, he relaxed very well,” said winning rider Vincent Ho. “Once I pressed the button, he just kicked it. He finished off very well, so he can definitely handle a mile without a problem. I told Jimmy, even for 1,800 metres, 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. I'm always grateful for everything.”

The second leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series, the HK$13-million Hong Kong Classic Cup, which takes place over 1,800 metres on March 1, is next on the cards for the son of Toronado. That contest is followed by the HK$26-million BMW Hong Kong Derby, which takes place over 2,000 metres on March 22.

Ting, who won this race as a jockey on Industrialist in 2000 when it was known as the Hong Kong Classic Trial, added, “This is my dream and it's come true. I'm so happy for the owner [Ko Kam Piu] – he's a very lucky owner. What a perfect win. I didn't think before the race he would win so easily. In the last 300 metres, I was thinking, 'Oh no, can he get a run?' But when he got clear it was all over.”

Pedigree Notes

Little Paradise was offered at the 2023 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale by Wayne and Pauline Alchin's Carramar Park on behalf of their son Tim, who bred him. He was purchased by the combination of Chris McAnulty (Dullingham) and Bond Li (Legends Bloodstock) for A$270,000.

It was a dream result for Tim Alchin, who had bought his dam, Devil In Her Heart (Star Witness), when she was carrying Little Paradise for just A$27,500 on Inglis Digital in February 2021.

The unraced Devil In Her Heart is herself a half-sister to eight winners, including the G2 Emancipation Stakes scorer Olentia (Zoustar), G3 Newcastle Newmarket Handicap heroine Wandabaa (Wandjina) and multiple Listed winner Malkovich (Choisir).

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