Friday Horse Racing Tips & Best Bets for October 23, 2026

Ballarat Betting Tips for October 23, 2026 - Vulcana Set to Erupt

Adam Cusworth

Editor

Last updated: Thu. 22 Oct. 2026 12:01

Adam Cusworth 37 minutes ago

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Vulcana is well placed in Race 2 after a promising debut and is tipped to break her maiden
Nishioka is expected to secure her first victory in Race 5 following two narrow defeats
Cushioned shapes as a key contender in Race 8 with expected improvement at her third run this prep

Friday's Ballarat card features nine races on a Good 4 track. (Getty)

Ballarat hosts a nine-race program on Friday, October 23, with a solid country meeting featuring a mix of maiden and benchmark contests.

Ballarat Tips October 23
Manhari Maiden Plate Tips (Race 2)
Hygain Edge Maiden Plate Tips (Race 5)
Sportsbet Race Replays BM62 Handicap Tips (Race 8)

The track is currently rated a Good 4, with the rail in the true position for the entire circuit.

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Ballarat Tips October 23

Manhari Maiden Plate Tips (Race 2)

Ballarat Next Best Bet - Race 2 No. 11 Vulcana

An encouraging debut performance at Warrnambool on October 1 has Vulcana looking well placed to break her maiden, with the daughter of Alabama Express finishing runner-up over 1200m on Heavy ground.

The filly settled midfield on that occasion before doing her best work late, producing the fastest final 400m and 200m sectionals of the race in a performance that suggested she would appreciate a rise in distance.

Friday's step up to 1400m looks particularly suitable, while Vulcana should strip fitter for that initial experience and brings the strongest last-start benchmark figures of any runner in the field.

John Allen takes the ride, and although the filly is expected to settle worse than midfield, stablemate Naya could provide a suitable tempo by taking up the running.

With the Ballarat circuit expected to suit her racing pattern and further improvement likely at her second appearance, Vulcana looks capable of producing a strong finishing effort and proving difficult to hold out.

Hygain Edge Maiden Plate Tips (Race 5)

Ballarat Best Bet - Race 5 No. 12 Nishioka

Two narrow defeats to begin her career suggest Nishioka is close to a maiden breakthrough, with the Robbie Griffiths-trained filly finishing runner-up on both occasions.

She settled prominently on debut in a sprint contest at Bairnsdale before producing another encouraging effort at Kilmore, where she finished just half a length behind Soundbite.

The daughter of Maurice recorded the fastest final 400m and 200m sectionals of that Kilmore contest, with the leading pair finishing four lengths clear of the remainder and providing a strong indication of the merit in her performance.

Although drawn in the outside barrier, there appears to be sufficient early speed from Cirque De Coeur and Ocean's Blue to stretch the field out and give Nishioka an opportunity to settle into a favourable position.

With two race-day appearances behind her and further improvement expected at her third career start, Nishioka should be approaching peak fitness and looks well placed to finish over the top of her rivals.

Sportsbet Race Replays BM62 Handicap Tips (Race 8)

Ballarat Favourite - Race 8 No. 5 Cushioned

Cushioned has produced two encouraging performances this preparation, with the Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained mare finishing fourth over 1325m at Geelong before stepping up to 1600m at Cranbourne last start.

The daughter of Almanzor was slowly away at Cranbourne and settled towards the rear in a slowly run contest before encountering traffic approaching the 500m, leaving her with considerable ground to make up in the straight.

Despite those difficulties, Cushioned recorded the fastest sectional between the 400m and 200m before the lack of early tempo counted against her, eventually finishing fourth behind Savannah Chill in a performance that was better than the result suggested.

There was a similar pattern during her previous campaign, when she produced significantly improved benchmark figures third-up in a strong form race at Sandown before subsequently breaking through at Pakenham.

Although Cushioned may ultimately appreciate a longer distance, Friday's BM62 does not appear particularly strong, and with the benefit of two runs this preparation and further improvement expected third-up, she looks capable of making her presence felt.