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By Nick Berney

Tips and race by race preview by Nick Berney for Friday's Canterbury Park meeting. Selections based on a soft track. Monitor for bias/pattern.

5. Emancipist resumes and looks wound up for this after hitting the line hard in a recent trial at Rosehill. The gelding raced well last prep in strong time races, brings a solid starting price profile and has competitive figures relative to his rivals. In addition, Jason Collett rides, which will suit his racing style, and he’ll look to weave a passage through and have the last shot.

Dangers: Debutant 3. Citizenship is a nice type and has trialled well. Further, the colt maps to have all favours and expect a bold showing. 2. Himalaism had no luck last start, and stablemate 1. Step Aside maps to control the pace.

How to play it: Emancipist WIN ($3.10 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Emancipist's latest trial at Rosehill on January 12

Keen on 1. Outlawed first-up coming out of the John O'Shea yard, and she looks to have come back improved after two solid recent trials. The three-year-old was heavily backed on debut $3.80-$2.90 late in the trade and was brave in defeat, running second. She raced wide, sprinted some of the fastest closing splits of the meeting and beat the rest easily. In addition, that race rated well in comparison to the day, and there has been four subsequent winners to confirm the form. The lightly raced filly profiles well for this event with a positive race setup and has a dominant figure relative to her rivals.

Dangers: 5. Sequestered wasn't suited at this track 14 days ago on a heavy surface, but to her credit, she kept finding the line. The Godolphin galloper gets key factors in her favour with James McDonald riding from a soft draw, and the step up in distance looks ideal. 4. Ithadtobezou had no luck last prep and resumes here after a recent trial win at Randwick. She has talent but can race keenly. Add 6. Amrap who can bounce back on dry ground.

How to play it: Outlawed WIN ($2.20 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Outlawed's latest trial at Gosford on January 5

6. Waverider Buoy had one quiet trial leading into her first-up run at Randwick 20 days ago. The filly had every chance that day, but the market suggested she would improve from the run and would have also benefited in fitness. The three-year-old brings strong form lines from last prep, including starting a respectable price in the Group 2 Furious Stakes (1200m), albeit failing on a testing track. Additionally, she maps to have all favours, can rate to win and is over the odds. Each-way.

Dangers: 9. Rocketeer Girl went to a new level with the blinkers applied last start, and she bolted in. Further, she clocked slick time, and there has been two subsequent winners to confirm the form. Expect her to roll forward again and repeating that figure will put her in the finish. 4. Essonne is ticking over well and is ready to peak third-up over more distance. She receives a significant barrier change and is down in grade. 7. De An Andretti is suited second-up.

How to play it: Waverider Buoy E/W ($7.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Waverider Buoy last start at Randwick on December 31

10. Compassionate was outstanding in defeat last start when running third at Rosehill. The four-year-old had to chase a strong tempo throughout, and to her credit, she kept trying hard to the line with a big gap to fourth. She has had factors against all prep but finds a winnable race here and represents value. In addition, she maps well, has multiple winning ratings and receives a senior rider. Each-way.

Dangers: 1. French Marine started favourite at this track 14 days ago in a similar grade race and tried hard to run second. He has a tricky gate but will improve again; his historical ratings profile supports this. 7. Minouche has trialled well recently at Warwick Farm and looks ready to run well fresh. Expect her to be savaging the line late. 6. True Crime will improve immensely from his first-up run and is a key market/yard watch.

How to play it: Compassionate E/W ($7.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Compassionate runs third at Rosehill on January 7

4. Bacio Del Mist was specked $13-$8.50 late in the trade last start at Randwick in a stronger grade but had factors against it and post-race issues. The five-year-old has raced well all campaign against tougher opposition and can bounce back here with a positive race setup. She is undefeated at this track, proven at the distance and has multiple winning figures. Each-way.

Dangers: 3. Whangaehu comes through the same race and won in style. He maps to have all favours again, and James McDonald rides. 2. Arnold has the ability and a strong starting price profile. Forget last start, where the gelding had cardiac arrhythmia and has since had a quiet trial between runs. Add 12. Our Belle Fille who is a knockout chance.

How to play it: Bacio Del Mist E/W ($7.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Bacio Del Mist's last start at Randwick on December 31

8. Latenighttoughguy overcame trouble to score first-up at Gosford and did it in style. The gelding was blocked for most of the straight, but once clear, he savaged the line to score and clocked the meetings fastest final 600m/400m/200m sectionals. He profiles well for this, with all key indicators suggesting he can step off that performance, and he has a positive race setup here. Moreover, James McDonald rides from a soft gate and expect him to be hard to hold out.

Dangers: 9. Twice As Special has been solid all preparation in stronger grades, and she gets her chance to break through. The six-year-old will undoubtedly be strong late and can rate to win. 5. Distillate bolted in at a recent Canberra trial; she won at this track/distance last campaign. Expect her to roll forward and give a sight. 4. Julian Rock hit the line well last start and must go in all exotics.

How to play it: Latenighttoughguy WIN ($2.15 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Latenighttoughguy wins at Gosford last start on December 28

1. Rockribbed profiles well for this event, and all key indicators suggest he is ready to peak third-up. The gelding was honest when resuming, and his run was full of merit last start at Warwick Farm. Further, he started the $4.20 favourite, raced wide without cover in a fast tempo the entire trip and was only narrowly beaten in a solid time race. He now has a strong platform, and his sectional/ratings profile aligns well against his rivals. Additionally, expect him to roll forward with James McDonald riding for the first time and be hard to hold out.

Dangers: 4. Yoshino had every chance but ran time when winning at Randwick last start in Saturday grade. He must contend with a tricky draw but is on an upwards ratings spiral this prep and can improve again up in distance. 9. Karlstad will be fitter and 12. Time Raid can give a sight.

How to play it: Rockribbed WIN ($1.95 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Rockribbed runs third at Warwick Farm on January 4

Best Bet: Race 2 # 1 – Outlawed

Next Best: Race 7 # 1 – Rockribbed

Best Value: Race 4 # 10 – Compassionate

All the fields, form and replays for Friday's Canterbury Park meeting