Little Paradise returns as Purton bids to ignite Ting partnership in G3 Celebration Cup

By Paul Ryding

Zac Purton will aim to ignite trainer Jimmy Ting’s season and resume his winning association with Little Paradise when the 2026 Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) winner makes his seasonal reappearance in the HK$4.2 million G3 Celebration Cup Handicap (1400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (27 September).

The nine-time Hong Kong champion jockey enjoyed a fruitful link with Ting last season, registering a remarkable 63.6% strike rate, finishing in the top three in 10 of 11 rides for the Hong Kong handler, one of seven trainers still searching for their first win of the new season. Four of the seven victories the duo celebrated came courtesy of Little Paradise.

Each of last season’s Four-Year-Old Classic Series winners features in a sparkling field for the weekend’s headline race, but Little Paradise will be among the leading fancies as he aims to follow up a first Group 3 victory in June’s Premier Cup Handicap (1400m) over the same course and distance.

The five-year-old will re-oppose much of the same line-up from that day, including Galaxy Patch (135lb), Lucky With You (117lb) and Patch Of Theta (126lb), but will shoulder an extra four pounds (124lb) following that impressive win.

Purton said the son of Toronado feels in as good condition as he was at the end of last season.

“I would say there’s not too much difference,” Purton said. “He was always a very nice, mature, big, strong horse. Mentally, I’d say he’s still a little bit at sea; he climbs his action, and he rolls around a little bit, but that just might be the type of horse he is.”

The case for Little Paradise to land back-to-back Group 3 victories is boosted by an encouraging barrier trial on 15 September.

“He’s a horse that generally pleases in the mornings,” Purton said. “He’s not the most comfortable on the all-weather track, but he seemed to get around there okay, and comes into the race off a nice win at the back end of last season.

“I think he’s got that potential there. Whether we can just get that extra little bit out of him, or whether what he’s done is as good as he is, time is going to tell,” Purton added.

Elsewhere on Sunday’s card, there is a true speed clash in store when a host of front-running gallopers go to post in the Class 2 Magpie Handicap (1200m). The speed map makes for interesting viewing, with half the field usually inclined to press forward.

One that typically aims to make the running is Karis Teetan’s mount Turquoise Velocity (124lb), who should be able to find the lead from gate one.

“Getting a good draw is always helpful to these horses,” Teetan said. “Of course, with so much speed in the race, it’s going to work in our favour with a good draw.

“He’s going pretty well. His trial was good and morning trackwork has been very good, so he’s ready to go to the races.”

The Zoustar gelding enjoyed a strong debut campaign in 2025/26, registering four wins, two seconds and a third from 10 outings. At five years old, he is now competing in the Class 2 ranks off a mark of 85, 33 points higher than when he began his Hong Kong career.

“He gives you a lovely feel when you sit on him,” Teetan said. “He’s actually a horse that tries a lot. I can see this is why he’s got good form and he’s gone up so much in the ratings.”

Group 1 winner My Wish trialled at Sha Tin this morning (Friday, 25 September) in preparation for his reappearance, making impressive late ground to finish first in 1m 11.24s over 1200m on the dirt under Purton for trainer Mark Newnham.

Sunday’s (27 September) 11-race fixture at Sha Tin starts at 12.45 a.m. Eastern with the Class 5 Tropicbird Handicap (1200m, dirt).