Jimmy Ting Koon-ho is hoping a better draw and some further improvement will give Little Paradise every chance of remaining undefeated in the Class Three Tin Wan Handicap (1,200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Successful in both career starts, Little Paradise clung on by a head after leading throughout from gate 13 on debut in March, before showing his versatility by storming home from behind midfield to salute by a length and three-quarters after jumping from gate 10 last month.

Luke Ferraris was in the saddle for both of those triumphs and the South African jockey will be thrilled with the options barrier five gives him aboard Little Paradise this weekend.

Ferraris galloped the three-year-old on the Sha Tin dirt on Wednesday morning and Ting was pleased with the jockey’s report.

“Luke rode him [Wednesday] morning and said the horse is going better than last time,” Ting said.

“The past two times the horse was still coming up to full fitness – he wasn’t 100 per cent. This time he is still not 100 per cent but he has improved.”

Little Paradise was hit with a nine-point ratings rise for his last-start win and will carry 124lb on Class Three debut.

“He’s a nice horse and after his past two races, the horse is still improving. He gets a better draw this time and he will have his chance to win again,” said Ting of Little Paradise, who tackles the likes of fellow hat-trick seeker Moduleconstruction, another exciting three-year-old in Ahren, Lifeline Express and Romantic Son this weekend.

Sitting last in the trainers’ premiership with 14 winners for the season, Ting will have a further three chances to lift himself off the bottom on Sunday.

Among those is The Absolute, who produced an improved third last start and has drawn barrier four in the Class Three Ping Tin Handicap (1,400m).

“He’s a roarer, so he needs a smooth run. If you hold him a little bit tight, he can’t breathe, so hopefully he gets a fast pace and can gallop smoothly, then he will run better,” said the trainer.

It is Lyle Hewitson who will be tasked with ensuring The Absolute that smooth run, while Harry Bentley hopes aboard Ting’s other two runners – Thunder Blink and Happy Universe.

A weekend winner would be a welcome end to a testing week for Ting after the handler’s stable star, Glory Elite, was struck down by tendon injuries to both front legs.

Victorious for the fourth time at Happy Valley in April, the 90-rated Glory Elite was set to contest Wednesday night’s Class Two at the city circuit, however he will now be rehabbed with an eye to returning during the 2025-26 season.

“It’s not too bad, hopefully he can recover,” said Ting.

The weekend’s Sha Tin meeting marks the return of twilight racing in the city, with Sunday the first of seven fixtures to kick off at 4pm due to the hot weather.