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Gratz Vella believes You're Canny's return to the winners circle last week could be the beginning of a successful Winter campaign with a return to metropolitan events now on the agenda.

The three-year-old had not won a race since saluting in the $250,000 Listed Black Opal Stakes in March 2011 and was second-up following an ordinary run at Hawkesbury.

The Canny Lad gelding was at the generous odds of 17/1 for the feature race of the Canberra meeting and despite travelling three-wide for much of the race proved too strong in the straight.

“I was pretty well down after his run before, so it was a very good win for us,” Vella said.

“It wasn't a bad field either. I was really wrapped in him. It was a load off my shoulders, that's for sure.”

Given the poor performances of You're Canny since winning Canberra's flagship race, Vella admitted that he would have been satisfied even if he tired in the latter stages of the race.

“If he didn't win and he ran mid-field I would have still been very happy with his run,” said the Canberra trainer.

“I thought, well he's running a good race up until now, if he knocks up I'll still be happy because he's jumped and had a bit of a go.”

Up-and-coming apprentice Lester Grace partnered the three-year-old and made use of their inside alley to be up with the leaders early on.

Vella commended the efforts of the 17-year-old who had never ridden the Canny Lad gelding prior to the race, and claims that he may have found the key to unlocking You're Canny's potential.

“As a two-year-old he used to jump and ride with them, and I said to Lester: 'today, no matter what, I want you to be up the front',” said Vella.

“Lester did everything I told him. He didn't hesitate and just kept pushing along.

“He rode Rake The Bunker for me out at Wagga recently, and he isn't a real easy horse to ride, and he ran second on him.

“He has always shown me that he's got a bit of ability, but from that day I knew the boy had some talent.”

Vella said that You're Canny has “pulled up enormous” since the race and that “he's just a different horse” since breaking his winning drought.

Despite being winless for over 14-months since his Black Opal success, Vella never doubted that the three-year-old would win again.

“I had no doubts because the horse has shown me everything that a good horse will show,” he said.

“Track work was good, attitude was good, everything was spot-on it was just a matter of trying to find the key to getting the best out of him on race day.”

The Canberra trainer now faces the difficult task of where to place You're Canny next, and said he has a few races in mind at the next midweek meeting at Canterbury.

“The bush is no good to him now because he'll be carrying the grandstand,” Vella said.

“There are two or three races at Canterbury that are eligible for him. It's just a matter of finding the right one.”