Dreams of Eric to keep the Harness 5000 dream alive for Nate on Thursday night

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.