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By Nick Berney

Tips and race by race preview by Nick Berney for Wednesday’s Canterbury Park meeting. Selections based on a heavy to soft track. Monitor for bias/pattern.

1. Northern Beaches resumes and won a recent trial at Rosehill in strong closing sectionals. Further, the colt wasn’t extended and went through the line full of energy. First-up last preparation in an Open 2YO HCP (1200m) at Gosford, he had the pace/bias against him and ran one of the fastest final 200m splits of the entire meeting in 11.72. The three-year-old is well educated with strong form lines, multiple winning figures, and maps well with James McDonald to ride.

Dangers: Debutant 8. Scientist has been impressive at the trials winning by dominant margins and running time. Moreover, he is still learning but has natural speed and looks to have the ability. The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott trained galloper will have first use of the track and will take some catching. 12. Sha Of Gomer is a knockout chance coming out of a strong race and receives a significant barrier change. Expect improvement from 11. Sports Legend who had no luck last start.

How to play it: Northern Beaches WIN ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Northern Beaches wins a trial at Rosehill on August 12

2. Ithadtobezou is 49 days between runs but ran well last start at Kensington in a high-rating race behind Airman, who has a bright future. Further, the filly was specked $8.5-$6.5 late in the trade and ran one of the fastest final 600m splits of the day in 35.43. Hugh Bowman will have options from the wide draw, and she is a key late market watch.

Dangers: Debutante 8. Zarinya has had two solid hit outs at the trials and will get her chance from the soft draw. 10. Wollombi is a knockout chance and 6. Seiryu has been visually impressive in her two heats.

How to play it: Ithadtobezou WIN ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Ithadtobezou runs second at Kensington on June 29

4. Karlstad raced keenly last start at Rosehill in a slow tempo, and the blinkers come off to help with his manners. The five-year-old is rock-hard fit, drops in grade and James McDonald goes on. Additionally, he'll appreciate the anticipated genuine tempo where he produces his peak figures.

Dangers: 1. Star Sparks led at a fast tempo and bravely fended off challengers over the concluding stages to win at Wyong 20 days ago. He will roll forward, brings the best last start figure and may get the track pattern to suit. 7. Sprout Wings is a consistent type and add 2. Kirkeby to trifectas and first fours.

How to play it: Karlstad WIN ($3.60 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Karlstad last start at Rosehill on July 30

1. Leo is well placed here after a strong first-up effort at Randwick 11 days ago for his new trainer Ron Quinton. The six-year-old raced wide, albeit only around one turn but was brave in defeat, running second to Maotai. He profiles well for this with dominant ratings relative to his rivals, drops in grade, James McDonald rides for the first time and maps to have all favours with a significant barrier change. The gelding will need to stretch out to 1100m but does look hard to beat.

Dangers: 5. Buckin Beauty is rock-hard fit and gets in well at the weights after the claim. 3. Not Another Reiby comes out of the same race and was honest. Add 4. Impulse Control to trifectas and first fours.

How to play it: Leo WIN ($1.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Leo runs second at Randwick on August 6

5. Bartoselli was honest in defeat last start at Rosehill and started a $3 favourite in a Midway Handicap (1300m). Further, the time was strong relative to the day after adjustments, and the form has since been proven with two subsequent placegetters. The four-year-old led at a solid tempo and raced in the inferior ground over the concluding stages holding onto third to add further merit to his performance. The gelding’s ratings profile suggests he’s ready to improve, and fourth-up last preparation, he produced a career peak figure at this track. In addition, he maps to have all favours, Nash Rawiller sticks, and winkers go on for the first time. Expect a bold showing.

Dangers: 3. Le Vizir had every chance when winning at Newcastle 11 days ago but did it in style. Moreover, he ran one of the fastest final 400m splits of the meeting in 24.72. The gelding can mix his form but has the talent/figures to win. 2. Papal Warrior drops in grade and is rock-hard fit. He is a knockout chance and can rate to win. 11. Hell I Am sat outside the leader in a genuine tempo at Rosehill last start and battled on ok. He must take the step to 1250m but will get every chance from the soft draw, and William Pike rides.

How to play it: Bartoselli WIN ($3.80 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Bartoselli runs third at Rosehill on July 30

9. Twilight Affair’s first-up run had hidden merit after leading at a fast pace and battled on well in a high-rating race. Further, the winner of that race, Shades Of Rose, has since come out and won impressively. She will be fitter for that, will roll forward and may get the track pattern to suit.

Dangers: Forgive 1. Lady Banff’s last start at Randwick, where she was unsuited first-up. The mare will be fitter, has strong form lines and can rate to win. 5. Petulant comes out of the same race as Twilight Affair and raced wide in that fast tempo. She brings a fitness edge and will get her chance. Add 4. Centro Storico to trifectas and first fours.

How to play it: Twilight Affair WIN ($2.90 TAB Fixed Odds) & Lady Banff WIN ($9.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Twilight Affair runs fourth at Rosehill on July 30

5. Green Flash started a solid $2.20 favourite at this track 14 days ago and tried hard in defeat. Further, that race rated well relative to the day and the decisive margins throughout confirmed the quality. The five-year-old has a strong second-up record, starting price profile and maps to have all favours with James McDonald riding.

Dangers: 2. Flower Moon led and won at Warwick Farm 21 days ago and ran a career peak figure. She is in form and has a strong record. 6. Toulon Brook was just beaten in the Forbes Cup (1600m) last start, and there was a gap to third. He is rock-hard fit and can rate to win. 3. Sacred Command is hard to catch but can win this and add 1. Atlantic King to trifectas/first fours.

How to play it: Green Flash WIN ($3.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Green Flash runs second at Canterbury on August 3

Best Bet: Race 5 # 5 - Bartoselli

Next Bet: Race 6 # 9 - Twilight Affair & # 1 - Lady Banff

Best Value: Race 1 # 1 - Northern Beaches

All the fields, form and replays for Wednesday’s Canterbury Park meeting