Dreams of Eric to keep the Harness 5000 dream alive for Nate on Thursday night
By Barry Lichter • 29 October 2025
The bookies obviously didn’t miss the last-start effort of Dreams Of Eric, opening him a $3.50 favourite at Cambridge on Thursday night.
Though only seventh last week, the speedy little three-year-old never found any gaps in the run home, going to the line hard held by Harrison Orange.
In his first race after a six-week freshen-up, Orange drove the horse exactly to the instructions of Lincoln Farms co-trainer and part-owner Nathan Delany, who wanted him to go back from a wide draw and run on at the finish.
“Harry did exactly what I wanted - to keep him covered up and to hit the line well - and he was happy with the run.”
Dreams Of Eric led all the way from gate eight to beat Skys Legacy at Cambridge in August. PHOTO: Ange Bridson/Race Images.Still last turning for home, Dreams Of Eric finished with a full head of steam, untested, five lengths behind winner Aquila.
“But this time I’ll tell him to cut loose and hopefully he’ll be in front.”
From gate five, that shouldn’t be too hard an assignment for Orange who led easily from gates four and eight in the horse’s two wins on the course in August.
“He’s training really well so is a definite each way chance and potential winner.”
Delany says Dreams Of Eric will have one or two more starts before heading south to Canterbury where he is still the second highest qualifier behind Berrettini for the $60,000 Harness 5000 for three-year-old colts and geldings at Ashburton on December 21.
More news in Harness
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Video clue on why Lincoln Lover is tipped to go boldly fresh-up at Auckland on Friday night
A picture of Bliss but poor Harry’s arms were nearly pulled out of their sockets
Ultra-consistent Kevin Kline sold to the United States: Why Ray’s sorry to lose him
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.25pm
“She won well on the first day but pulled very hard - Harry said his arms were that tired afterwards he couldn’t have lifted a 1kg dumb bell. She’s meeting a few nice ones here, up in grade, but she’s drawn better so you can’t count her out. She tries hard and really digs in.”
Race 7: Lincoln Downs
7.50pm
“She did everything right on Tuesday but she blew heavily afterwards and I think the heat got to her. She’s a place chance if she recovers OK.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.22pm
“She was jumping shadows on Tuesday and moves to the last race this time but she’s not the most genuine so I’m not holding my breath.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.28pm
“He hasn’t raced for three months but trialled really well. I pick he’s going to win one pretty quickly and, given he’s been running against the best two-year-olds in his previous preps, it should really be on Friday night. This lot of maidens aren’t in the same class and he’s as honest as they come, a tough little trier.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s really up against it from the outside of the second line, with all the favourites drawn well. She has to be the unluckest animal on the planet. With her, what can go wrong will. Even at the best of times you need a reasonable draw to figure but drawn in the bondocks here she’ll need incredible luck.”
Race 8: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.09pm
“He had a short break while some vet work was done but is in good trim. Yes, there are a few in here that are vastly higher rated but his formline says it all - it’s not often he doesn’t get a cheque.”
Race 8: Tyson
9.09pm
“He was a bit unlucky last week that he didn’t get to them a bit sooner otherwise I think he would have won. Maurice said he thought they’d come back to him more, going 2:39 speed, but his closing sectionals were easily the best in the race.”
Race 10: Prince Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s grown into a beautiful horse, a quality looking colt, and who knows what he could be. He’ll obviously improve with the run but I still expect him to run well from his good draw. He trialled very well behind a good one.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s drawn a bit awkwardly in seven, which gives Prince Lincoln the edge, but he too was making good ground in the workout.”
