Harness 5000 dream over for Nate as fiesty Dreams Of Eric booked to China next month

The dream’s over for Nathan Delany with flight schedules ruling Dreams Of Eric out of the Harness 5000 at Ashburton next month.

Delany, who trains and part owns the Vincent three-year-old, had long been aiming him at the $60,000 colts’ and geldings’ race on December 21, for which he is ranked third.

But with the horse now sold to China, and no planes going there in January, his departure has been brought forward to December 16.

So Dreams Of Eric will continue to race at Cambridge until he goes into quarantine and, with only five rivals on Thursday night, he again looks a good chance of picking up a cheque in the seventh race.

While pitted against the higher rated Blazing Louie and Beta Prepare, who have both been racing well at Auckland, Dreams Of Eric has the speed to take up a forward position for driver Harrison Orange.

“I’ll leave it up to Harry again,” Delany said. “He’s done a good job with the horse.

“He wanted to take a sit last time so was quite happy when crossed by Rough And Ready, and Harry said he was still on the bit when he hit the line.”

Though a well beaten second, four lengths behind the now 20-race winner Rough And Ready, Dreams Of Eric fought hard in his typical never-say-die way.

On Thursday he comes back to 1700 metres, a trip he won over two starts back.

“There are a few nice ones in there, like Diamonds Are Forever, but I’m sure he’ll go another good race.”

Delany also takes Im Not The Maid to Cambridge where she will be having her last start for owner Phil Cook before going to stud.

The winner of two races, Im Not The Maid has run only two placings in 17 starts since she last scored 13 months ago.