After driver John Walters found the early lead, Sunny Sanz was always in control of the race and went on to score by 11m and make it six wins from seven starts.

Lietinna trainer Kent Rattray said Sunny Sanz was "a very special horse" and his successful return to racing was a reward for a lot of effort by a lot of people.

"We've had to put a battle in and his owners (Nathan and Sandra Bennett) have spent a lot of money getting him back," Rattray said.

"He's had shockwave and stem cell treatment and it's worked a treat - we're really pleased with the work done by the Longford Equine Clinic."

Sunny Sanz went amiss after winning his only three starts last season.

"We initially thought it may have been just a bruise or an abscess in his foot because there was no swelling," Rattray said.

"It took us a fortnight to actually pin it down and it was a small hole in his tendon behind his knee.

"After that, we just went about doing everything we could to make sure he came back sound.

"Everything looks good with him now and, if he keeps doing what he did tonight, he's going to win some serious money."

Brighton trainer Rod Ashwood filled the quinella in the $50,000 Bandbox final with Still Hungover and Spoilt Sport a week after both fillies failed inexplicably in the prelude.

Ashwood spent all week pondering their performances and, worried that they may have had a virus, waited on the results of blood tests before deciding on a start.

"I did no work with them through the week and we were just scratching our heads - it was frustrating," the trainer said.

"But it worked out beautifully tonight."

Ashwood drove Still Hungover himself and took the filly to the early lead with Spoilt Spoit, who had drawn wider, working forward to sit in the death.

They held their spots for the rest of the race, with Still Hungover hanging on to beat her stablemate by 2m with Karalta Moondance a neck away third.

Still Hungover is raced by her breeder Corey Hazelwood.

"It's good to see an owner with only one or two horses win a race like this because he'll probably breed another one now and that's what keeps the industry going," Ashwood said.

"My fillies have both done a good job and will probably go to the paddock now."