A tight finish resulted in a dead heat for Pencarrow Racing’s Chevremont (No Excuse Needed x Figeac) yesterday in the $8,000 Brett Gray Memorial/Cocky Farewell Rating 75 (1600m) at Otaki.

The judge was unable to split Chevremont and race-favourite Flynn (One Cool Cat) after a long deliberation. The pair were well clear of third placed Lincoln Inn (Fast ‘n’ Famous) who was 3.8 lengths further afield.

“I thought she had done enough to win initially,” commented co-trainer Steven Ramsay. “A dead heat is better than running second though. She did kick well up the straight, it looked like the other horse was going to go past her so she did well to kick back.”

Trained by Pencarrow’s resident trainer Steven Ramsay & Julia Ritchie, Chevremont travelled to Otaki for her first start since June and was ridden by Samantha Collet.

After enjoying an economical run mid-field, Collet produced Chevremont at the top of the straight and the daughter of No Excuse Needed boldly hit the front. She dashed away from the field with Flynn in hot pursuit, lunging right on the line to force the judge to call a dead heat.

“She travelled up well and Sam (Collet) got her off the rail at the right time,” said Ramsay. “She is just a genuine horse, she never goes a bad race.

“We freshened her up as she was a touch dower at her last campaign. She doesn’t have a target at the moment but we will get her back over ground.”

Yesterday’s win was Chevremont’s third career victory for owner Sir Peter Vela who bred the six-year-old mare in conjunction with his brother Philip Vela.

Chevremont is out of Figeac (Zabeel), a half-sister to Group 3 winners Lord Pyrus (Pyrus) and Darcybee (Fasliyev) along with Listed winner Tehama (Centaine). She is from the illustrious Fairy Walk family that contains numerous Group 1 winners including Broadwalk Angel (Bletchingly).