Gladmans hoping for special family effort in inaugural Mach 10

By Andrew Smith

Doug and Heather Gladman have already enjoyed the highest of highs in the greyhound caper with their superstar Tyanna Belle, and now they are hoping that success on the big stage runs in the family.

Their latest kennel star Special Rocky will line up in tomorrow night’s inaugural Mach 10 on the Q Straight.

The black dog enters the new Group 2 event off the back of three straight victories at The Q, powering home for an upset win over the highly-favoured Darcy Dakota in 18.96 seconds in last week’s heat.

He will come up against a three-pronged attack from the leading Michelle Sultana kennel in Gold Force, Massaro and Galento, as well as the Taylor Thornton-trained favourite Settle For Less.

Doug Gladman was under no illusions when it came to the monumental task awaiting Special Rocky in the Mach 10, who was paying $23 for victory as of Wednesday morning.

But the veteran trainer said he was proud to be flying the flag for the Sunshine State.

“Well, we're overawed, of course, but it's a big ask, isn't it?” Doug said.

“It’s really the best dogs, probably in Australia, and it's a big ask, but we're in it, and he'll do his best.

“We’re really happy to be there, and it's exciting, and we're from Queensland which makes it great.

“The field is tops, and I'd love to have any one of them as an extra dog, and I give a lot of thought to Matty Vincent who’s a local too and breeds his own dogs.

“I'd like Matt to be thereabouts in it (with Flagman Franky), and we know we've got an obligation to beat those visitors.

“I don’t need the money, but by God I need the excitement! (laughs)”

Special Rocky has raced on both the one-turn and two-turn tracks at The Q, with seven of his 13 victories coming on Q1 Lakeside since commencing his career in November of last year.

But it has been the straight track where the greyhound has rocketed into form lately.

The first of his three consecutive wins came agonisingly close to breaking the 300m track record on June 1.

It is that recent form, along with jumping from box 5, that has Doug believing Special Rocky can produce a performance to remember in the 350m event.

“He sort of missed the start a little and was .011 outside the track record, so that was an enormous run, and puts him well in stead to be thereabouts,” Doug said.

“I’m very happy about that box - If you look at the Q Straight, usually the middle of the track gets a bit of room, and it can be crowded on both the rails and the high side.

“He's got an enormous amount of speed - he's the only dog we've ever had that we've clocked at 75 kilometres an hour.

“He has looked special on the straight, because you've got that early acceleration if he can get away, and he could put a gap in them.

“We all know it's a pipe dream with this sort of money, but we're very thrilled.”

The inaugural Mach 10 will be run for $112,525 in prizemoney, with $75,000 to the winner.

Heather Gladman said the new event would provide a huge boost for straight track racing.

“It’s very exciting for the Q Straight - we've been quite successful there which amazes me,” Heather said.

“When I first saw it, I couldn't believe how wide it was, and actually we've been quite happy with it once we got the dogs on there.

“Rocky is very able to cope with the straight and surprises me actually how well he has coped with it.

“They appear to have good fields, and tomorrow night will be no exception.

“I think the rest of the field will be too good for us, but as I see it, we're very lucky to be there, and I'm very happy about that.”

The Gladmans will be wishing Special Rocky can go some way to reaching the same heights as his famous mother.

He is out of a Feral Franky – Tyanna Belle litter, with the bitch having given Doug and Heather their greatest thrill in the training game.

The husband-and-wife team enjoyed a once-in-a lifetime experience with Tyanna Belle running in the $1.65 million The Phoenix at The Meadows in December 2022.

They had booked their spot for the mega-rich race through the Queensland Flame at Albion Park earlier that month.

Sadly, there was no fairytale victory with Tyanna Belle finishing a gallant sixth in The Phoenix, and racing twice more before being retired in early 2023 with 25 wins.

She also set the Albion Park track record of 22.16 seconds over the 395m run back in 2021.

While now long retired, the bitch continues to make an impact in the greyhound racing scene in Queensland, having produced three quality litters.

“Every pup she's raced so far has won, they're all racing of course and even the first litters are not that old, they're all still thereabouts,” Doug said.

“She's exceptionally well-bred – she comes from a background of very, very good dogs.

“She was a wonderful bitch - she won 25 in an era where she could have won more outside of Covid, because the border was always a problem.

“She loves retirement - she spends her days in the air-conditioned kennels, and spends the rest of the day inside, annoying us on the lounge.

“She’s got the best, and she deserves it.”

Based at Elimbah north of Brisbane, the Gladmans currently have five dogs in their care, including Tuckeroo Road, Mr O’malley, Lady Elloise and Titanium Blue.

They have been involved in the greyhound game for over 30 years after Doug bought former racer Southpaw for Heather in the early 2000s.

With Doug now 84 years old and Heather 83, the couple says they are still enjoying being involved in the sport, and are not ready to entertain any retirement plans just yet.

“I’m not sure - while I can walk and get about, that’s everything of course,” Doug said.

“My wife and I have been married over 60 years, and she's the brains behind the outfit.

“While we can put the dogs around together, we'll keep going and we'll be thereabouts.

Heather added with a laugh: “He's not telling the truth, but I am kept very busy.

“It's in the lap of the gods, really, because we don't know that.

“We've been very lucky to be so well for so long, and Doug's finding it tough at the moment.

“But I'm fortunate to be feeling so good, and no problems, so I won't put an end to this until sometime later.”

Tomorrow night’s racing at The Q also includes Group 1 $225,000 Ladbrokes Flying Amy Classic and Group 2 Cyndie’s Magic lighting up Q2 Parklands as part of the Queensland Winter Greyhound Racing Carnival.