Trainer Jimmy Ting Koon-ho is preparing his stable star, Little Paradise, for a campaign aimed at the Group One Hong Kong Mile. The gelding is scheduled to make his seasonal return this Sunday in the Group Three Celebration Cup over 1,400 meters at Sha Tin.
Little Paradise, a winner of last season’s Classic Mile and the Group Three Premier Cup, is entering the HK$4.2 million feature with the goal of establishing himself as a top-tier contender for the December showcase. Ting noted that the horse has matured during the off-season, spending time at the Conghua training facility and in the paddock to improve his temperament.
According to Ting, the horse has completed two trials in preparation for his return. While the trainer believes the gelding is not yet at his peak, he expects a competitive performance. Little Paradise will be ridden by Zac Purton, who also partnered with the horse during a recent trial on the Sha Tin dirt track.
Following Sunday’s race, the horse is expected to target the Group Two Sha Tin Trophy on October 19 and the Group Two BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile on November 22. The field for the Celebration Cup includes several notable competitors, such as Derby winner Invincible Ibis, Helios Express, Galaxy Patch, Patch Of Theta, Copartner Prance, Stormy Grove, Lucky With You, and Soleil Fighter.
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