Monday, 9 July 2012: The application of blinkers coupled with a drop in distance paved the way to a resounding success by useful type Chinese Culture on Friday night.
 | Chinese Culture
Photo by Singapore Turf Club | |
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The previous one-time winner last raced in a 1700m race on Polytrack but just missed the placings by a head when he weakened inside the last 100m, prompting his trainer Shane Baertschiger to have a rethink about the Face Value colt's prospects over more ground.
Friday's $65,000 Graduation race over 1400m on turf seemed to suit him to a tee, but Baertschiger also noticed the Horizon Stable-owned horse had been “losing his way” a little at his recent runs. That was when the blinkers came on – and the final upshot vindicated the young trainer's astute thinking.
Settled in the gun run in fourth by the stable's vastly-improved apprentice Jacky Low,
Chinese Culture 
($59) saw a saloon passage open up as the field spread across the track in search of the better going on the outside upon straightening up.
Favourite
Jeram Clipper (Danny Beasley), who had led from the outset, still looked like he had a lot left in the petrol tank, but on his inside Chinese Culture was finishing a shade better.
Well ridden by Low, Chinese Culture was being hailed the winner when he hit the front at the 200m, but the fast-finishing pair of
Natural Nice (John Powell) and
Running Tall (Barend Vorster) on the extreme outside were making for an interesting finish.
Chinese Culture however lasted to fall in by three parts of a length from the unlucky
Running Tall, who could have won had he not drawn the outermost alley. Natural Nice stuck on well for third another head away. The winning time was 1min 24.78secs.
“He's always been a good horse but I he didn't quite stay at his last race,” said Baertschiger who was at his 19th winner for his first season as a trainer in his own right since taking over his father Don earlier this year.
“Coming back in distance and the blinkers did the trick. At his last couple of races, he was not going so well and I thought he needed blinkers.
“He also likes a bit of give in the ground. He scored his only win on a wet track.”
Low said the blinkers really switched his mount on and the headgear was highly instrumental in Friday's victory.
“He travelled on the bit throughout and turning for home, I knew I had plenty of horse under me,” said Low.
“Last time (without the blinkers), he was lazy and was not focused at all. Shane has done a good job with this horse.”
