Despite just four runners contesting the unique Powerworx Greys race at New Plymouth, the ghostly grey competitors conspired to make it one of the most exciting finishes of the day.

The special event for grey horses only is one of the highlights on the Taranaki Jockey Club’s “extreme” raceday and this year proved no exception as the Lisa Latta trained Yin Dragon took out the contest by a nose from Matamata visitor Our King Sway.

In a tactically run contest, rider Rosie Myers had the No Excuse Needed gelding lobbing along nicely at the rear of the field before sliding around the outer to challenge at the 500 metre mark. As heads turned for home the field were in a line across the track before Our King Sway and Yin Dragon strode to the front to wage war in the closing stages.

Separated by the barest of margins Yin Dragon took the decision to register his fourth career victory for trainer and part-owner Lisa Latta.

“He’s a bit of a lazy old bugger and I wasn’t sure if he had done enough when they hit the line together like that,” she said.

“He has had his issues along the way, including some knee problems last year, but he has the ability to win races like this and seems to be going better than ever this year.

“He needs the wet tracks to perform so while the rain is still around we will keep him going and hopefully he can pick up another win for us.”

Yin Dragon was a $41,000 purchase by Latta from the 2011 NZB South Island sale and is the full brother to talented mare No Excuse Maggie, who numbered the Gr. 3 Taranaki Breeders Stakes amongst her seven career wins.