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. First starter 6. Kapakiri will hit the line hard and expect improvement from 11. Sports Legend who had no luck last start.

How to play it: Northern Beaches WIN ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

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. Each-way.

Dangers: 7. Sumatra resumes and has trialled well, winning a recent heat at Randwick over 1080m. The three-year-old filly has a string of winning ratings for this, and James McDonald rides for the first time. Additionally, she is wound up for this, winkers come off, and is a definite chance. 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 at the trials.

How to play it: Ithadtobezou E/W ($6.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

3. Oz Legend wasn't suited settling at the rear of the field in a slow tempo at this track/distance last start and ran on well. Further, the gelding's sectional profile suggests he's ready to improve/peak third-up and brings a competitive last start figure. The five-year-old will appreciate the anticipated genuine tempo where he produces his peak figures. Each-way.

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. 4. Karlstad raced keenly last start at Rosehill in a slow tempo, and the blinkers come off to help with his manners. 7. Sprout Wings is a consistent type and add 2. Kirkeby to trifectas and first fours.

How to play it: Oz Legend E/W ($9.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

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: Forgive 2. Bugalugs first-up effort where he struggled in the high-pressure tempo after only one soft trail prior. He can bounce back and races well at this track. 5. Buckin Beauty comes from the same race and has a starting price edge. Additionally, he is rock-hard fit and gets in well at the weights after the claim. 6. Resilient Star was honest first-up at Newcastle and brings a different form line.

How to play it: Leo WIN ($1.85 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

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. 7. All England resumes and has trailed well. He is suited over a further distance but can sprint fresh and may have the last shot. 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 ($4.80 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

7. Beep Test, who represents value, was brave in defeat at this track/distance 14 days ago in a high-rating race relative to the day. The four-year-old raced wide in a solid tempo and sprinted one of the fastest 400m-200m splits of the meeting in 11.88. Further, the mare just got left in front a long way from home and was swamped late. She faces tougher opposition here but is ready to win and is over the odds.

Dangers: 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. 2. Roots contested Group level races last prep and has trialled well. The mare can sprint fresh and has an unbeaten first-up record. Forgive 1. Lady Banff's run at Randwick and add 5. Petulant to trifectas and first fours.

How to play it: Beep Test WIN ($19 TAB Fixed Odds) & Twilight Affair WIN ($3.60 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

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: 8. Mystic Mermaid led at a strong pace at this track last start and looked like the winner after sprinting away from her rivals. However, the mare got left in front a long way from home and was gobbled up over the final stages. She is in-from and expect an aggressive ride from the wide draw. 10. My Truth was specked $31-$21 late in the trade at this track last start, and he bolted in. He brings a competitive last start figure and is a chance. 1. Atlantic King and 2. Flower Moon are both coming off wins and must go in all trifectas and first fours.

How to play it: Green Flash WIN ($4.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Best Bet: Race 5 # 5 - Bartoselli

Next Bet: Race 3 # 3 – Oz Legend

Best Value: Race 6 # 7 – Beep Test