Captain Fancypantz has given trainer Cameron Templeton a career highlight with a historic win in the final Pakenham Cup to be run at the country Victorian track.

The Cup was first run at the course in 1926 but from next year it will take place in April and a new state-of-the-art facility at nearby Tynong.

Captain Fancypantz was sent out the $4 favourite in the $100,000 Cup (1750m) and went to the race off an unorthodox preparation of two 1200m runs.

The five-year-old has a history of problems but Templeton has never doubted his ability, to the point of running him in the Group One Moir Stakes in September in which he finished last.

"He's had a lot of problems which I've openly documented over his short career but he has been a marvellous horse for myself and connections and I couldn't be happier for them," Templeton told TVN.

"I'm not saying he's Group One standard but he's a class horse and I did think enough of him to run him in a Group One."

Ridden by Damien Lane, Captain Fancypantz settled in a forward position with leader Zlatan setting solid pace.

Lane took Captain Fancypantz up to the leader at the 100m and the horse drew away to beat Zlatan by a length.

Victoria's other country meeting was at Hamilton where Malua Racing notched up a treble, a day after trainer John Sadler revealed he had been battling depression.

The popular Sadler is expected to be back at the helm in a couple of weeks with Malua general manager Troy Corstens to train a team in his own right alongside Sadler at Flemington.