Aarons Mattjesty edged past his more popular stablemate, Peenie, late to steal the spotlight in the featured $6,400 Winners Over Handicap Pace for trainer Yves Tessier on Sunday evening at Rideau Carleton Raceway.
Driven by Denis St. Pierre, favourite Peenie was caught three-wide in an early battle for the lead and eventually cleared at the quarter pole. He then turned back first over challenger Dont Rustle Myluck and Sylvain Lacaille, but couldn't fend off his quick-closing barn buddy in the stretch.
After trailing the nine-horse field early on, Aarons Mattjesty and Claude Larose moved into the outer flow and rallied home from third over to nab the victory. The winning time was 1:57.4 over the 'good' track, which was rated two seconds off.
Aarons Mattjesty, a three-time winner with two seconds in five starts this year, paid $21.50 to win as the 9-1 fifth choice in the field. Peenie finished a neck back with Poppys Bucky Boy and Stephane Pouliot between the stablemates in third.
The seven-year-old son of Royal Mattjesty is owned by Francois Morin of Beauceville, Que.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.