A good combo - Dreams Of Eric and Harrison Orange at Cambridge where they have won four races together in the last six months. PHOTO: Ange Bridson/Race Images.
Harness 5000 dream over for Nate as fiesty Dreams Of Eric booked to China next month
By Barry Lichter • 26 November 2025
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.
More news in Harness
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No Jumals to beat this time at the Park so Ray’s looking for Lincoln Wave to roll in
Lincoln Linda best of the night at Cambridge - she has the engine to cross Soul Artist
Cheapie Johnny Lincoln a “proper” racehorse who can foot it with the Million bluebloods
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Rivergirl Bella
5.44pm
“She did well here last time as she had to do a bit to get to the lead and she dug in and fought on. She’s certainly a chance if she repeats that effort.”
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
7.09pm
“I thought she went super last time after doing a lot of work. She can do that because she has an engine and is tough. She’s a bit one-dimensional - you have to turn her loose early - but from the two draw she should be able to lead and that’s where she does her best work.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.34pm
“I think he’s a bit stronger after his spell. It’s not a great field - most will die on that mark - and I don’t see a problem with the standing start as he’s nicely gaited. He could be marginally unfit after three months out but he’s done quite a bit of work and I can see him going a half-decent race.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.59pm
“She had every chance last time but I can’t see why she won’t go well again. She’s as honest as they come and tries like hell.”
Race 7: The Night Fox
8.29pm
“You’d think he’d lead easily from the inside. He’s had bad draws and still got the money, so I’m sure he’ll go another good race. I’m surprised they sold him so cheaply. He’s better than people think.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Lincoln Wave
5.09pm
“With the trip he got in the Harness Million I thought he’d have run on a lot better. But he was still a bit short on fitness and sometimes we can expect too much of these horses, he was racing the best, after all. It’s a big drop in grade here and he’s a pretty fair horse.”
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
5.09pm
“He’s an honest sort who’s in a good space but he won’t get a wonderful trip from the outside of the gate this time so I’m not holding my breath.”
Race 3: Sammy Lincoln
6.04pm
“He’s training down well but you never know what he’s going to do. You think you’ve got him sorted and he does something silly. But we know if the real Sammy turned up, he’d be very hard to beat as he’s got a lot of speed.”
Race 5: Prince Lincoln
7.05pm
“He’s another where you don’t know which one will turn up but we’ve gelded him since his last run, so we’ll see if that helps. He trained well the other day.”
