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Handy four-year-old Chinese Culture overcame an awkward alley to score a brilliant win second-up from a break on Friday night.

Showing he had lost none of his ability when he ran a closing fourth at his racing comeback from a four-month spell in a Class 4 race over 1200m, the Face Value entire franked both that first-up form and his partiality towards seven furlongs (two wins) with a determined win in Friday’s $55,000 Class 4 Division 2 race over 1400m.

Bounced out quickly by jockey John Powell from his barrier No 10, Chinese Culture was heeled up early to stay in touch with joint-leader Gilt Lad (A’Isisuhairi Kasim) and Spyder (Joao Moreira) before pressing forward to a handy spot outside Gilt Lad as the pace eased up a notch at the 1000m mark.

Powell then dropped anchor, biding his time until the field straightened up when $13 favourite Spyder whipped around three wide to draw first blood. Nine times out of 10, it is all over red rover when Moreira sets sail for home aboard the favourite around that mark - but not this time.

Under Powell’s persuader, Chinese Culture ($50) started to gather momentum as he emerged between Spyder and Gilt Lad before breaking clear for a 1 ¼ length-win from Spyder, who just touched out Gilt Lad for second by a short head. The winning time was 1min 23.71secs.

Trainer Shane Baertschiger said the first run from spell had done a world of good to the Australian-bred galloper’s racing fitness.

“He needed the run first-up. He ran on well but his condition blew out in the last bit as he’s an entire,” said the Australian handler.

“1400m is his trip and Johnny rode him a treat. He got him across from his wide gate and just let him slide forward.

“I don’t have any plans for him. Just take him through his grades and see where he will take us.”

Powell said the result might not have swung his way had they gone hell for leather in the initial stages.

“It’s a good thing the pace slowed up down the back. That allowed me to just sit outside the leader,” said Baertschiger’s No 1 jockey.

“If they had rolled along, I would have been caught three wide. Things worked out our way in the end.

“This horse has come back stronger and I think there should be a few more wins in him.”

From 15 runs, Chinese Culture has now recorded all his three wins over 1400m and has brought his earnings close to the $155,000 mark for his owner Bernard Lee of Horizon Stable.