Vincent Ho worked Little Paradise under the cover of darkness on Tuesday morning (24 February) at Sha Tin and the leg-stretch was much to the local ace’s delight in preparation for Sunday’s (1 March) HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m).

Forming part of a big-race double-header at Sha Tin alongside the HK$13 million G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m), the Hong Kong Classic Cup is the middle leg of the three-race Four-Year-Old Classic Series, which culminates with the HK$26 million 149th BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) on 22 March.

Ho, who has won the Hong Kong Classic Cup twice with Golden Sixty (2020) and Super Sunny Sing (2023), said: “I’m happy with him (Little Paradise) – he felt good. He’s ready and I am ready – we’re looking forward to it.”

Little Paradise blitzed the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) – the first leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series – on 1 February by two lengths after overcoming trouble in the home straight to secure Jimmy Ting’s biggest win as a trainer.

Discussing the continued rises in distance across the remaining legs, Ho said: “Even 2000 metres is no problem. He’s so gentle in the mornings – he’s not a problem at all.”

Little Paradise has won six times from nine outings, and clocked 52.7s (28.3, 24.4) alongside stablemate Perfecto Moments at Sha Tin yesterday morning.

If successful in Sunday’s Hong Kong Classic Cup, Little Paradise would then have the opportunity to match the feats of all-time greats Rapper Dragon (2017) and Golden Sixty (2020) by winning all three legs of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series.

Caspar Fownes was beaming at Sha Tin on Tuesday morning (24 February) following the announcement that Joao Moreira will return to Hong Kong as his stable rider.

Moreira, a four-time Hong Kong Champion Jockey (2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17 & 2020/21) with 1,235 winners in Hong Kong, linked with Fownes to scoop the 2021 BMW Hong Kong Derby aboard Sky Darci.

“It’s (Moreira’s return) something I’m very happy that’s going to happen. He starts up in the first week of April, and it’s going to be great for Hong Kong racing to have him back in action here. I’m very happy that I’ve got him as my stable jockey,” Fownes said.

“Hopefully, we can have some fun together – that’s most important – and win lots of races. I’m sure the fans will be happy to have him back here.”

Leading the trainers’ championship on 36 wins, Fownes takes seven runners to tonight’s (Wednesday, 25 February) fixture at Happy Valley, including three-year-old Love Together (132lb) in the second section of the Class 3 Wan Chai Gap Handicap (1200m). 

Fownes said: “All of his runs have been at 1000 (metres), and he’s performed well for a horse only in his first season. Unfortunately, he’s drawn awkwardly (gate nine), so I’ll have to go through the speed map as to whether I want to go forward or back with him because he’s quite versatile.

“The horse is in good condition. He’s ready to go to the races again, and you would think on the way he is performing that he would be competitive in this race.”

Wednesday’s (25 February) nine-race fixture at Happy Valley begins at 6.40pm with the Class 5 Bowen Handicap (1200m).