The Four-Year-Old Classic Series is traditionally one of the most exciting chapters in the Hong Kong racing season and last Sunday’s (1 February) Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) proved no exception with the brilliant victory of LITTLE PARADISE.
The explosive nature of LITTLE PARADISE’s win for trainer Jimmy Ting and Vincent Ho was not only visually impressive – after the gelding had to twice change course in the home straight before winning comfortably by two lengths – but he also set a race record of 1m 33.31s, bettering champion ABLE FRIEND’s time of 1m 33.43s, set in 2014.
One of the most impressive aspects of the performance was LITTLE PARADISE’s acceleration with a final 400m sectional of 22.51s and the last 200m in 11.16s.
Whatever the future holds for LITTLE PARADISE as either a sprinter/miler, or as a potential stayer, his first effort over 1600m was certainly spectacular and suggested the 1800m of the Hong Kong Classic Cup on 1 March appears to be within his grasp.
The victory was the continuation of a wonderful training performance by Jimmy with LITTLE PARADISE, who is the first of this season’s four-year-old crop to reach a triple-figure rating with his new mark of 103, and he shapes as a particularly exciting talent.
Vincent’s poised ride was another demonstration of his excellent temperament and skill as he celebrated his biggest win since sustaining extremely serious injuries last season.
There were several other good runs in the Hong Kong Classic Mile, including those of runner-up INFINITE RESOLVE and third placegetter BEAUTY BOLT, while PATCH OF COSMO (ninth) could not get clear running at crucial times and will certainly be improved for the run.
With LITTLE PARADISE joining one of the most illustrious honour rolls in Hong Kong racing, alongside GOLDEN SIXTY, ROMANTIC WARRIOR and VOYAGE BUBBLE, the 2025/26 Four-Year-Old Series remains one of the most intriguing in memory as we build towards the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) on 22 March.
The DBS x Manulife Million Challenge is set for an exciting finish at Happy Valley tonight
After six months of intense competition, it is fitting that the DBS x Manulife Million Challenge will be decided on the very last night of the 2025/26 series at Happy Valley tonight (Wednesday, 4 February) with six horses still in contention to take overall honours.
A total of 239 individual horses has competed in the series so far with an additional 18 tonight and the outcome of three races tonight will settle the issue with HK$1 million for outright victory, HK$350,000 for second and HK$150,000 for third, respectively, on offer.
The Challenge has been closely followed since September and the competitive nature of the series is exemplified by the leaderboard – REGAL GEM (42), KING MILES (36), STORM RIDER (36), SPEED DRAGON (33), HELENE FEELING (32.5), ROMANTIC SON (30), MIGHTY COMMANDER (29) and SILVERY BREEZE (27).
HELENE FEELING and SILVER BREEZE will attempt to improve their overall standings when they contest the Class 2 Shan Kwong Handicap, which is carded as Race 3 and run over 1650m at 7.35pm for prizemoney of HK$3.12 million.
The pace will be good to slow with NEW FOREST (Lyle Hewitson) likely to lead from KAHOLO ANGEL (Ellis Wong) and AWESOME FLUKE (Andrea Atzeni).
HELENE FEELING won twice here in December over 1800m and then 1650m, before finishing third in the G3 January Cup to SPEED DRAGON. He has drawn in gate two and is a win and place chance for Hugh Bowman.
HUGE WAVE is in good form and ran well for second in the January Cup. He was a winner over this course and distance in November and is a win and place chance for Alexis Badel.
SILVERY BREEZE is in eighth position but can tie for first overall with a win. He has been consistent this season and finished strongly from last on the turn when runner-up to MAX QUE on 14 January. SILVERY BREEZE rises in grade but is a place chance for Karis Teetan with his light weight.
KING MILES and ROMANTIC SON clash in the Class 3 Sing Woo Handicap, which is carded as Race 7 and run over 1200m at 9.40pm for prizemoney of HK$1.86 million.
The speed will be good with CALIFORNIA BLITZ (Matthew Chadwick) likely to lead, with WONDER KIT (Lyle Hewitson) and KING MILES prominent.
PERFECTDAY is racing well with two wins and a second from his past three starts. PERFECTDAY won impressively two starts ago, and is a win and place chance for Zac Purton.
ROMANTIC SON posted a strong win last week but will have a tougher time tonight from gate 12 but is a place chance with Harry Bentley riding again.
KING MILES is a dual course and distance winner and ran fairly last start on 14 January when he drew wide and faded to finish eighth to MIGHTY COMMANDER and PERFECTDAY. KING MILES is a place chance for Vincent Ho.
CALIFORNIA BLITZ has been very consistent winning two races in a row in Class 4 when leading and ran well when third to MIGHTY COMMANDER and PERFECTDAY when rising in class last start. CALIFORNIA BLITZ is a place chance.
REGAL GEM and STORM RIDER can claim the DBS x Manulife Million Challenge with victory in the Class 2 Blue Pool Handicap, which is carded as Race 8 and run over 1200m at 10.15pm with prizemoney of HK$2.84 million.
The pace will be good to fast with YOUTHFUL SPIRITS (Angus Chung) likely to lead. BABY CRYSTAL (Harry Bentley) and ALL OUT FOR SIX (Andrea Atzeni) should settle in the leading group.
STORM RIDER is in outstanding form, winning here on 14 January after winning the G3 Chinese Club Challenge Cup (1400m) at Sha Tin at his previous start. He has drawn well in gate two and is a win and place chance for Hugh Bowman.
REGAL GEM has won two races over this course and trip this season and showed he was holding form when closing quickly to finish second to STORM RIDER on 14 January. Derek Leung will probably take REGAL GEM back from his gate 12 but he is a place chance.
YOUNG CHAMPION (Karis Teetan) is running at Happy Valley for the first time but bounced back to form last start with a close second to INVINCIBLE SHIELD on 25 January.
BRAVE STAR has a good course and distance record, with six victories here under Vincent Ho. From gate one, he should get a good run, and is a place chance.
Group 1 winner INVINCIBLE SAGE, under James Orman, is an interesting runner who makes his debut at Happy Valley.
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