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.
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Ray’s comments
Friday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Omaha Lincoln
4.49pm
“He’s never been to Cambridge, and it’s his first time off the place, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see him go well - he’s certainly got enough speed to do the business. It’s guesswork trying to assess him against the others but I think he’ll do everything right so he’s a chance.”
Race 5: Lincoln Linda
6.51pm
“She is a bit one-dimensional - she’ll take charge of proceedings when the gate leaves. She could get parked but if she got a cheque I’d be happy.”
Race 6: Leo Lincoln
7.22pm
“He was taking ground off the winner last week and I don’t think the step up to 2700 will make much difference, he’s race fit now. He’ll do what he can do, he’s no champion, but he’s got the draw, he steps well and he won’t be far away.”
Race 7: Lincoln Wave
7.52pm
“The draw is awkward over the sprint distance at Cambridge but he’s absolutely capable of being right in the fray if he happened to get a good trip - he’s an improver every time he goes to the races. Not many of the others have run 1:54.”
Race 7: Sammy Lincoln
7.52pm
“I thought he did well to finish third last week after being parked out. The draw makes it very hard but he’s got real speed and if he dropped into it late, it wouldn’t surprise me if he got home really well.”
Race 10: Spiritual Bliss
9.24pm
“They’ll know they’ve been to the races if she gets any kind of trip. She was parked the whole way last time in 1:52 and wasn’t far off them. I don’t really want to see her parked again but you’d think Tytate would duck for cover knowing we’d say in front. She’s tough and reliable - she hasn’t gone a bad race since we’ve had her - and you know she’ll put herself in the race.”
Race 10: Ultimate Cullect
9.24pm
“The outside is not a good draw for her but, if they go hard, it will suit her.”
