Little Paradise continued his march towards February’s Classic Mile with a comfortable victory at Sha Tin on Sunday afternoon.

Sent off the $2.65 favourite for the Class Three Salisbury Handicap (1,400m) after three wins from six career starts, Little Paradise notched his first win at seven furlongs after finding a nice spot on leader Ka Ying Attack’s back under Zac Purton.

“We didn’t want to go in front because the draw was a bit bad. I left it to Zac,” said trainer Jimmy Ting Koon-ho.

“He wanted to get a bit closer to the pace and luckily there was one horse who could go in front of him and [Zac] could settle him in second.”

Successful by a length from fellow Classic Series hopeful Top Dragon, Little Paradise will now find himself with a rating in the mid-to-high 80s and with more than enough points to get a run in the four-year-old series opener on February 1.

“He’s four years old and every horse who is four years old and gets the result should be there. He should have the rating to get into the race,” said Ting.

“He’ll have one more race [before the Classic Mile] – 1,400m or 1,600m – but I need to talk to Zac and see which one he can ride him in.”

Owner Ko Kam-piu has contested the Classic Mile before, with subsequent Group One-winning sprinter Little Bridge finishing fifth under Purton in 2011, and Ting is looking forward to the journey.

“There is no pressure with this horse because the owner is very nice,” said Ting.

“He’s had horses many times so he knows about the game. Before the race he talked to me and he only wanted him to run a good race, whether he wins or loses. He’s a nice owner.”

Purton was pleased to see Little Paradise take everything in his stride from the sticky gate eight under top weight of 135lb.

“It was a really good effort. He had to do a bit of work early. The runners on the inside kept kicking up on a solid speed and then when I found my position, I had a horse three-wide come up outside me and get him back on the bit when I wanted him to relax and travel,” Purton said.

“So, with the weight on his back, to give a good kick and hang on was a great effort.”

Purton finished his afternoon with a double after earlier saluting aboard With A Smile for trainer Chris So Wai-yin in the second section of the Class Four Kimberley Handicap (1,400m).

Also a four-year-old, With A Smile will now find himself in Class Three company.

“That was good,” said So. “The horse seems like he needs further but it’s only his second run this season.

“His first run [when fifth over 1,200m] at Happy Valley was not bad and Zac loved to stick on with the horse, which is always a good sign.”

Purton moved to 45 winners for the season, 77 short of the magical 2,000 mark.