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
Tuesday at Addington
Race 9: Debbie Lincoln
4.03pm
“She’s drawn out but I think she’s got the gate speed to be put into the race. You’ve got to be handy to beat the good ones and we don’t want to be stuck behind some of the others. The one drawn two inside us, Arafura, looks the one to beat but Debbie is as good as anything in the race in my opinion. It’s not going to be easy but I’m hopeful. She’s done well down here and is in good shape.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Cambridge
Race 5: Im Not The Maid
6.17pm
“The draw helps and while she’s very honest she still needs to improve. Gary Hall said she was a bit stop-start last time but he cut corners and wasn’t too far away at the finish. He reckoned his toe rope broke at the top of the straight.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
7.49pm
“She showed no speed when resuming and it’s hard to see her playing a part in this.”
Race 8: Lincoln Downs
7.49pm
“She went the best of them last time, was hampered turning or home, and could improve.”
Race 8: Jessie Lincoln
7.49pm
“She’s a big filly but so far, so good. There are a few negatives, like the second row draw and it being her first time under lights, but I think she could go quite well. It’s not a wonderful lot against her and she’s training well.”
Race 8: Lincoln’s Spice
7.49pm
“She over-raced early first-up and burned herself out. She’s a delicate little thing but we’ll put some plugs in her this week. Last time in I thought she could be the best of them. Whether the others have caught her up or she’s gone backwards I don’t know.”
