John Size ended a frustrating mini-drought at Sha Tin on Sunday to celebrate his 1,600th Hong Kong victory and boost his claims of holding off a surging David Hayes in the trainers’ championship.

Size joined fellow Australian John Moore (1,735 wins) as the only trainers to reach the major milestone in the city when Stellar Express romped home in the Class Three Indigenous Handicap (1,000m).

Relief was the overwhelming emotion for the 70-year-old, who halted his winless streak at 36 runners while claiming a crucial win as his battle with Hayes heats up.

“I’ve taken my time, but finally got there. It’s always nice to get some sort of milestone or number up – that’s the one today,” said Size, who last tasted success with Perfect Pairing at Happy Valley on May 7.

Since landing his first premiership in his debut season in the city in 2000-01, Size has become a legend of Hong Kong racing with a record 12 titles and a host of star gallopers and Group One successes.

The Australian Racing Hall of Fame inductee’s bid for another title strengthened when he overcame a sluggish start to the campaign to establish a double-digit lead.

However, Hayes cut the deficit to four wins when Shamus Storm won Sunday’s Class Four Exultant Handicap (1,400m) before Size struck back.

“I’m hanging on by the skin of my teeth. We’ll just keep trying,” Size said.

Jockey Brenton Avdulla was thrilled to help deliver Size his milestone triumph when Stellar Express made all to bolt in by two lengths from the Hayes-trained Metro Power.

“It’s worked out well because I was a bit upset, thinking I would miss out on riding it for him because John has gone three or four meetings without a winner when I wasn’t riding,” said Avdulla, who has served careless riding suspensions while Size was stranded on 1,599 wins.

“I thought he might have got it when I was off but it’s actually an honour to ride the winner that brings up the 1,600th for John and it’s great that it’s for [owner] Larry Yung [Chi-kin], who’s a big supporter.

“It’s a brilliant result and hopefully we can help John onto another premiership.”

Stellar Express added Sunday’s win to his Class Two triumph down the straight in December.

Hayes managed to keep pace with Size after Shamus Storm was given a brilliant ride by Zac Purton to win the Class Four Exultant Handicap (1,400m).

It was fifth-time lucky for the Shamus Award galloper, who settled towards the rear of the pack before Purton made a move off the turn to box in his main rival Max Que heading into the straight.

It was a move that proved crucial, with Shamus Storm getting first run and justifying $2.2 favouritism in the process.

The win had Hayes keeping one eye on the championship, while admitting the task had been made a bit tougher after today.

“It’s been a bit of a frustrating day. Ka Ying Glory ran faster than the Class One and got beaten, and Fortune Boy I thought was my best of the day and he got scratched at the gate,” said Hayes.

“I need to have a day where I sneak up on him – if I was further away then I wouldn’t be able to win.”

The win formed part of Purton treble, with Packing Hermod saluting in the Class Two River Verdon Handicap (1,400m) and Top Dragon ending the card in style by claiming the Class Three Oriental Express Handicap (1,400m).