Running from the frontmark of 36 metres, Pfundt held on in the sprint for the line as the field closed in with talented Hobart teenager Max Waldron finishing second and Burnie's Daniel Reeves third.

Pfundt's winning time was 45.70.

It was his third win of the season.

He won the Latrobe Gift in 2006 and took out the 200-metre event at last year's Devonport Carnival.

"It's something I've wanted to do for years after getting second here in 2006," Pfundt said.

"It's good to come back and go one better.

"I've struggled with injuries on and off for years so it's good to finally have a good season again."

Pfundt made the Latrobe Gift final on Boxing Day but said 200 metres was his preferred distance despite his success over 400.

"I used to be a bit of a 400 runner but I've never won a 400m final before so it's a good win to start with," he said.

Pfundt said he hoped his legs would hold out in the final straight.

"I couldn't see anyone coming into the finishing straight and I just sensed them coming up near the line but I didn't know how tight it was in the end or not," he said.

Pfundt said he had made finals in every event he had run so far this season.

"`My Latrobe Gift win was my first big one in 2006 but this one is still up there but it takes more out of the body than the 120."

Pfundt is trained by Launceston's Fay Denholm, whose stable of runners continues to have a most successful carnival series.