He’s one of the more exciting up-and-coming gallopers racing on Sunday’s card at Sha Tin, but Top Dragon will face a stern test according to trainer Chris So Wai-yin.

An impressive winner at three of his past five starts, Top Dragon will bid to enhance his standing as a leading Classic Series contender when he tackles the Class Three Salisbury Handicap (1,400m).

The son of Pierata continued his upward spiral when he finished powerfully from back in the field under champion jockey Zac Purton to win at the course and distance second up.

However, So is concerned about the rise to share top weight of 135lb with another promising four-year-old, Little Paradise, and a wide draw in gate 10.

“He’s going well after his last run. It’s a bit hard carrying top weight and the draw was important,” So said.

“His form is still good and he’s up against some up-and-coming horses. I really hope he can keep going and keep improving and aim for the four-year-old races. I think Sunday is a big challenge, so we’ll see.

“He’s only four and carrying top weight is not easy, but I hope he can handle it.”

Top Dragon showcased potential with back-to-back victories last term and improved on his close third first up to score in October.

Purton has been aboard on his past five starts, but an early engagement to ride Little Paradise prompted So to book superstar James McDonald for the prized ride.

So believes Top Dragon, who won a dirt trial under McDonald last week, will relish the rise to a mile and further in time as he prepares for an assault on the four-year-old series.

“He seems like he’s more relaxed the way he travels in his races. I think he can handle a further distance,” So said.

“The horse keeps improving.”

The clash between Top Dragon and Little Paradise promises to be one of the highlights of Sunday’s meeting, with the card closer also featuring a pair of four-year-olds who should not be underestimated at the bottom of the weights in Lucky Sam Gor and Etalon Or.

Little Paradise has notched three wins and a pair of placings from his six starts, with Purton hopping aboard this season in his strong first-up triumph and close third behind Thriving Brothers last start.

“He drew awkwardly [in barrier eight], he didn’t have the smoothest of runs and when the pace backed off, [Panacea] tried to make that mid-race move around me and I had to pop back out. I thought all in all, he did a really good job,” Purton said of Little Paradise’s latest run.

“He was still fighting there on the line so if he can just get a smoother run and an easier time of things, he could easily atone. I think he’s going well, so hopefully he can get it done.”

Little Paradise has again drawn gate eight and Purton expects the Jimmy Ting Koon-ho-trained gelding to figure in calculations for the Classic Series, which kicks off with the Classic Mile in February.

“The same owners had Little Bridge who was a sprinter and they ran him in the Derby, so I daresay if he’s got the rating, he’s going to be running there,” Purton said.