Road to the Derby: Chris So eyes Four-Year-Old Classic Series challenge for progressive Top Dragon

In the fourth instalment of The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Road to the Derby series, we take a look at Chris So’s progressive galloper Top Dragon.

With less than three weeks until the first leg of the prestigious 2025/26 Four-Year-Old Classic Series – the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) on 1 February – and with the 149th HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) on 22 March on the horizon, Top Dragon is building nicely into his four-year-old season.

Initially sold for A$80,000 (approx.HK$418,000) at the 2023 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale Showcase Session, Top Dragon was then purchased by Hong Kong’s Upper Bloodstock and Australian trainer Mick Price for A$160,000 (approx.HK$840,000) at the 2023 Inglis Ready2Race Sale for owners Vincent To, Kenneth To and Ronald To.

After taking until his fifth start to notch a breakthrough victory, the Private Purchase Griffin netted consecutive victories and finished his maiden campaign with two wins and two seconds from seven starts.

He has been much more consistent in the 2025/26 season, not missing a place in four runs and saluting in a Class 3 1400m contest at Sha Tin in October.

It is perhaps Top Dragon’s most recent outing on 4 January that will most please So, with the galloper racing without luck but still finishing only two lengths off winner Sagacious Life in a race that saw him tackle 1600m and Class 2 company for the first time.

“Last week we put him over the mile and he ran well but just had no luck, so it seems like he handles the distance,” So said. “He hit the line strong and distance-wise I think he will handle 1600m in the four-year-old series this year.”

In a race run inside standard through the first 1200m, Top Dragon was able to motor home from near the back of the field under a light weight. While the winner, G1 Derby Paulista (2400m) victor Sagacious Life, boosted his rating to 97 and is now the city’s second-highest rated four-year-old, Top Dragon remained on his mark of 81.

That puts him on the cusp of making the Hong Kong Classic Mile field. However, the fact that a number of gallopers ahead of him in the pecking order are either injured or out-and-out sprinters should see him make the field of 14.

“With his 81 rating I think he’s got a good chance to get in but he’s not 100 per cent guaranteed. I hope he gets in,” said So, confirming his charge won’t run again between now and 1 February. “I think we’ll now go straight to the Classic Mile with a trial before the race.”

Victorious in the second leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series, the HK$12 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m), with Super Sunny Sing in 2023, So hopes Top Dragon can also make an impact over the age-restricted series’ longer races.

“I’m not worried about the breeding. In Hong Kong the most important thing is the horse’s ability and temperament rather than their pedigree,” said So of his son of Pierata, who is out of Testa Rossa mare Mica Lil.

“Maybe in future he can go further but I don’t know at this stage. Let’s see how he runs in the Classic Mile and then we will decide.

“It does seem like he will handle further distance because of the way he runs and his good temperament. I think he probably will handle further distance but I’m just guessing. We’ll concentrate on the Classic Mile first.”

Key Four-Year-Old Classsic Series contenders Little Paradise and Invincible Ibis continued their march towards the Classic Mile with strong wins at Sha Tin on Sunday (11 January).

Little Paradise saluted at Class Two level for the first time in the Racing Club Cup (1400m), while Invincible Ibis snared his fourth win in a row with victory in the Class 3 (Restricted) Pak Shek Au Handicap (1600m). Infinite Resolve and Beauty Bolt, respectively, did their claims no harm with close seconds in those contests.

Other four-year-olds in action this week include Anode, Crimson Flash, Regal Gem and Symbol Of Strength at Happy Valley on Wednesday (14 January) as well as the likes of Juneau Pride, Glittering Legend, Patch Of Cosmo and Pope Cody at Sha Tin on Sunday (18 January).