Handy pacer Pesci scored the most important win of his harness racing career with a sterling finish to take out the $20,000 Ararat Advocate Pacing Cup Final on Friday night.

Backed into favouritism, Pesci, from his second-row draw, was eased back to the rear by driver James Herbertson.

Sometuffluv, who was supported into equal second favourite, found the lead early with Auckland Red caught three wide and then having to race outside him. Chasing Rex had a one-out two-back trail, with Dawson right behind him.

With a lap left to travel, Chasing Rex made a move three wide with Dawson following and Pesci right behind him.

Chasing Rex beat off Sometuffluv with Dawson poised to strike on the final bend. But in a masterstroke, Herbertson went back to the inside and the diminutive pacer finished too strongly to defeat Chasing Rex, with Dawson fading on his run to take third placing.

The winner rated a credible 1.56.7 for the 2195 metres, which was only one second outside the track record.

The win completed a treble for Herbertson as he had won with American Alli and Pesci’s stablemate Redbank Molly earlier in the night.

Herbertson was certainly pleased after the event.

“Shaun had him spot on. He was a bit worried after (the heat) Stawell the other day, but he didn’t like the track there,” he said.

“Dawson had a length on him, but when I asked the little bloke he really found and he still had a bit left on the line.

“It’s a credit to the Ararat club - the track was spot on.”

Herbertson has a long association with Shaun and Jason McNaulty, and he paid tribute to the brothers.

“It’s nice to win races for good people,” he said.

Shaun was thrilled with the success and was on track to celebrate.

“It was looking good early,” he said. “I was still worried to be so far back. He had to duck back on the inside and that’s what has won him the race.

“I’ve always liked him; I was a bit disappointed last time with the way he travelled but ‘Herbie’ assured me he was right.

“It’s going to be tough in the future as he’s a class 75 now, so we’ll go to town (Melton) with him. But it’s great to win here. I love these smaller tracks.”

Aldebaran Vera overcame a 40m handicap to win the other feature on the card, the Ararat Pre Mix King Ararat Trotters Cup, for the Lee family of Marg, Paddy (trainers) and Jason (driver).