John Size continued his mid-season renaissance with a double at Sha Tin on Thursday, spearheaded by the impressive success of Endued in the Class Four Lei Muk Shue Handicap (1,600m).

Slow starts for the 71-year-old are par for the course and the well-known mid-season rally from the champion trainer is well under way, with Thursday’s brace continuing an impressive run of form that has seen him train six winners from his last 31 runners.

Size is certainly not known for stable transfers, but Endued has thrived since joining the yard from Benno Yung Tin-pang and almost ran out a winner on his seasonal return last month over 1,400m.

The step up to the mile proved crucial for the son of Deep Field, who travelled midfield on the rail for Maxime Guyon and when the gap between horses opened up in the straight, he scythed his way through and sprinted clear for a cosy length success.

It was a performance that suggested there was more to come from the four-year-old, who Size is still learning about each day.

“Craig Williams said after his last start he was ready for the mile and he certainly got that right,” said Size. “It was pleasing – I know he got the simple run on the rails and had every possible chance, but he won the race and some of them don’t despite that.

“He seemed to finish off the race quite willingly and was happy to run, so I’m very pleased with him. I don’t know much about the horse – I’ve only had him for a couple of races – but from what I’ve seen he should be winning another race.”

The winner was the second leg of the double for Size, who also watched Raging Rapids salute under Brenton Avdulla in the Class Four Lai Chi Chong Handicap (1,400m).

Ridden cold in the second half of the field, Avdulla swung his mount wide in the straight and the pair made steady ground to overhaul the leaders and fend off late challenges from Beauty Viva and Sunday’s Serenade.

The wins moved the 13-time champion Size up to 14 winners for the campaign and although he does not think that will weigh on his competitors up the table, no doubt they will be starting to peek over their shoulders.

“It’s very important in this environment to start the new year in a positive way. I don’t think they are too worried about me yet but I’ve just got to keep chipping away,” said Size.

There was also a double on the card for Douglas Whyte, with the stand-out winner being the promising Six Pack, who was a game winner of the Class Three Chuk Yuen Handicap (1,400m).

One out and two back under Luke Ferraris, the pair made stealthy progress into the straight but were made to work really hard by a stubborn Ka Ying Attack, who was run down by a neck.

Whyte landed the first leg of his brace when Riding High broke his maiden in comfortable fashion at the 18th attempt in the Class Five Pine Tree Hill Handicap (1,200m) under Zac Purton.