She may be small in stature, but Shadow Affair is all heart when it counts.

The Canberra-trained mare made the most of her first opportunity in city racing with a determined win in the Highway Handicap at Canterbury on Saturday.

"There's not much of her but she gives everything that she's got," jockey Christian Reith said.

Trained by Matthew Dale, Shadow Affair carried $5 to $4.60 support in beating Tony The Pony ($26) by 1-1/4 lengths with Lion Of Africa ($7.50) a short neck away third.

Reith had Shadow Affair poised behind the leaders in fourth before bringing his mount into the race at the turn for the mare to post successive wins.

Shadow Affair gave Dale his first win in the Highway Handicap, a race for country-trained horses introduced to the metropolitan calendar last month.

Apprentice Lester Grace couldn't remember when he rode his last city winner but he made his return to form count with a double from the first three races on Saturday.

"It's been a long time between winners, let alone having a double," Grace said.

Both of Grace's winners had solid backing with Spatsizi specked from $12 to $9 before showing staying promise in beating stablemates Torgersen and Feat For Eyes.

Slots was a $4 to $3.40 firmer before winning the James Boags Handicap as the meeting started on a heavy surface, conditions in which Slots has now raced six times for two wins and a second placing.

"With a four-horse race there wasn't much kick-back but (Canterbury) is one of the better wet tracks here in Sydney," Grace said after Slot's win.

From a small base of acceptors, only 57 horses took part in nine races on Saturday.