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

Cranbourne Betting Tips for October 23, 2026 - Esmahli in the Driving Seat

Adam Cusworth

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Last updated: Thu. 22 Oct. 2026 11:30

Adam Cusworth 1 hour ago

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Cranbourne’s October 23 night meeting features the $200,000 VOBIS Gold Star (1400m)
Top selections are Esmahli, Karren, Run Harry Run, and value pick Itazura
Expert analysis points to recent form, favourable barriers, and suitable distances for the recommended runners

The $200,000 VOBIS Gold Star headlines Friday night's Cranbourne card. (Getty)

Cranbourne hosts an eight-race metropolitan night meeting on Friday, October 23, with the $200,000 VOBIS Gold Star (1400m) headlining the program.

Cranbourne Tips October 23
McMahon's Dairy Handicap Tips (Race 3)
Ladbrokes Tote Win +10% In October Tips (Race 4)
Mittys VOBIS Gold Star Tips (Race 5)
Ladbrokes Cox Plate @ Flemington Tips (Race 7)

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

For product analysis, comparisons and ratings of Australia's leading operators, explore our Bookmaker Reviews.

Cranbourne Tips October 23

McMahon's Dairy Handicap Tips (Race 3)

Cranbourne Next Best Bet - Race 3 No. 5 Karren

A promising start to her career has Karren looking well placed to continue her progression, with the locally trained filly following an encouraging debut second at Geelong with an impressive maiden victory at Bendigo.

The three-year-old raced keenly over 1100m on debut before settling much better over 1300m at Bendigo, enjoying a comfortable passage near the speed and putting her rivals away to score by two lengths.

Her Geelong debut form has also proven reliable, with three subsequent winners emerging from that contest, adding further substance to the improvement she displayed when breaking through at her second appearance.

Although rising to Benchmark 70 company, Karren remains lightly raced and open to further improvement, while the step up to 1400m should suit given the way she relaxed and finished off her latest assignment.

With the ability to settle prominently and make her own luck, Karren looks capable of measuring up to the stronger opposition and extending her winning sequence on Friday night.

Ladbrokes Tote Win +10% In October Tips (Race 4)

Cranbourne Value Bet - Race 4 No. 4 Itazura

A return to 1400m could prove the key to Itazura rediscovering his best form, with the Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained gelding dropping back in distance and grade after being tested over longer journeys this preparation.

His latest appearance came over 2000m at Mornington, where he finished sixth in a race that has since produced four subsequent winners, suggesting the result may be worth forgiving given the strength of the opposition.

The gelding's best performance this campaign came when winning first-up over 1400m at Flemington, producing a figure more than eight lengths faster than standard benchmark before stepping into stronger Benchmark 84 company at Caulfield and finishing sixth.

Those earlier performances indicate that Itazura possesses the ability to compete strongly at this level, particularly with the return to his preferred distance and a drop in class working in his favour.

Regal Tycoon and several other runners should ensure a genuine tempo, allowing Itazura to settle comfortably in the running line before producing his finish, and with a more suitable race setup he appeals as a value chance at attractive odds.

Mittys VOBIS Gold Star Tips (Race 5)

Cranbourne Feature Bet - Race 5 No. 2 Run Harry Run

Run Harry Run brings strong recent form into Friday night's $200,000 VOBIS Gold Star, with the Lindsay Park-trained gelding looking well placed to return to winning ways over the 1400m.

The six-year-old has been competitive in stronger company this preparation, most recently finishing runner-up to Regal Zeus in the Listed Testa Rossa Stakes at Caulfield after settling prominently and fighting on well in the straight.

That performance was rated seven lengths faster than standard benchmark, the second-best last-start figure of any runner in Friday's field, while several of his earlier efforts this campaign have produced even stronger ratings.

He now meets Regal Zeus 2.5kg better at the weights and has drawn favourably in barrier four, providing Harry Coffey with an excellent opportunity to settle among the leading division without being forced to work too hard.

Cranbourne should suit his on-speed racing pattern, and with a significant weight swing, a suitable draw and proven ability at this level, Run Harry Run looks capable of reversing the result from their latest meeting.

Ladbrokes Cox Plate @ Flemington Tips (Race 7)

Cranbourne Best Bet - Race 7 No. 1 Esmahli

Two encouraging runner-up finishes this preparation have Esmahli knocking on the door of another victory, with the promising four-year-old bringing strong metropolitan form into Friday night's assignment.

The gelding resumed over 1000m at Caulfield and produced an excellent performance from a wide draw, making considerable ground in a slowly run race before another narrow defeat on Heavy ground at Flemington.

His latest effort saw him chase home Hanky Alpha down the grandstand side, where the inside section of the track appeared slightly superior at that stage of the meeting, and although the winner relished the conditions, Esmahli lost little in defeat.

With three victories and another three placings from just seven career appearances, the gelding has already demonstrated considerable ability, while barrier three should allow him to settle in a stalking position rather than being forced to overcome another difficult draw.

Nadia Daniels' 3kg claim provides a further advantage, and with a favourable barrier, strong recent form and a potential class edge over several rivals, Esmahli looks ideally placed to return to the winner's circle.