John Size threw out the warning signal that his usual midseason surge was kicking into high gear when he grabbed his first two winners at Happy Valley for the campaign on Wednesday evening.

It is a case of better late than never for the 13-time champion trainer, who got off the mark at the Valley this season at the 64th attempt when Amazing Kid shattered his maiden at his eighth start.

It was a well-earned success in the third section of the Class Four Albatross Handicap (1,200m), with the four-year-old travelling fourth on the rails throughout from stall one.

On a night where the inside rail proved to be the golden highway, Atzeni never left it, shooting up the inside of long-time leader Run Run Smart in the straight before fending off Meowth by a head.

“That’s the sort of run you hope to get [through the race]. We drew the one and had a light weight – he’s been a bit of a slow learner, but he seemed to hit the line with determination tonight,” said Size.

“Andrea was pretty vigorous on him and made him run the final bit. Everything worked out really well for him. He did have the run of the race and you’d be expecting him to win with it. I think tonight was his night.”

This is the time of year where Size’s season usually gets really rolling, though a first win at the Valley this campaign was clearly not on his mind pre-race.

“I wasn’t aware of that until now, but thanks for pointing that out to me – I feel better already,” Size joked.

Size doubled up in the concluding Class Three Sea Eagle Handicap (1,650m) when A Americ Te Specso made good use of barrier three to win under James McDonald.

It was a well-deserved first win since April for the seven-year-old, who won his third course and distance race after unleashing a strong late burst to collar Chill Kaka and Mighty Steed.

The victory also marked a double for McDonald, who saluted aboard the well-touted Perfectday in section two of the Albatross Handicap for trainer Chris So Wai-yin.

Having his first start for six months with the burden of top weight, McDonald was last away on his mount but first home in thunderous fashion, straightening widest of all before winning as he pleased.

“It was a very impressive win. Everyone asked me why it was so long [since he last raced] – in the summer time, he got really sick,” said So.

“The owner is very nice, there was no pressure and when I explained when the horse had a high fever, maybe give him a break and start from the beginning.”

Me Tsui Yu-sak also fired in a memorable double when Macanese Master and Candlelight Dinner were on target to snap a lean period for the yard in brilliant fashion.

His night was kicked off by Macanese Master’s surprise win at $22.5 in the Class Five Robin Handicap (1,000m) thanks to a calculated ride by Angus Chung Yik-lai, who sat behind the early speed before showing a great attitude to fend off a pair of closers late on.

Things got even better for Tsui towards the back end of the card when Candlelight Dinner defied stall 10 to win the Class Three Nightjar Handicap (1,000m) under Maxime Guyon.

It was a first city circuit win since February 2015 for the Frenchman, who engineered the perfect trip on the Russian Revolution galloper to sit on the shoulder of the leader Metro Power before surging into the lead 200m from home.

There was also a double for Hugh Bowman, who partnered Star Brose to his first win at the 12th attempt in the Class Five Heron Handicap (2,200m) for trainer David Hayes.

It was a win that was slowly building for the four-year-old, who thundered down the centre of the track to fend off a host of challengers in a blanket finish after a midfield trip.

Bowman completed his double when California Moxie turned on the afterburners late to go from last to first in the Class Four Lark Handicap (1,650m) for Tony Cruz.