Queensland greyhound industry to get behind Gladman kennel

By Jordan Gerrans and Alex Nolan

Tyanna Belle’s regular handler believes the entire Queensland greyhound industry will be cheering on the Gladman kennel during the month of December.

The veteran industry participants - Doug and Heather Gladman – are hovering around the 80 years of age mark after qualifying kennel star Tyanna Belle for the $1.65 million The Phoenix later this month.

The Gladmans are the second Queensland team to win through to the all-new race after winning the Listed Queensland Flame at Albion Park.

The Hall kennel – led by Graham and Leanne – made their way down with kennel star Spotted Elk this time last year.

And, while, everyone in the greyhound game got behind the Halls in 2021, Tyanna Belle’s regular handler Neil Demnar thinks those in the code will have an extra spring in their step for the Gladmans.

Why?

Keen dog man Demnar explains.

“They are probably the best two people I have ever met in my life; they will help anybody and everybody,” Demnar says.

“They help other people transporting dogs around the country, they will help people out in any way possible.

“If someone needs a hand with their dog or need some equipment, they always are the first to offer.”

As well as handling other trainers dogs, Demnar trains in his own right with a small team of chasers.

The Gladmans have mentored him over the years around how to prepare greyhounds to race and in return, he has come to their aid on a number of occasions when they required it.

Demnar and Doug struck up a friendship and mutual interest during a long drive to Bundaberg a few years back.

They both had runners at the regional track and decided to jump in the car together to save themselves both driving – and as the saying goes, the rest is now history.

“That day, we had a pretty good day, I think Doug had two or three winners,” Demnar recalls.

“From then, I have helped them out when Doug hurt his hip or when Heather was in hospital.

“I stayed at their property for a few days to help them out and I have just learnt so much from Doug and Heather, they have really helped me.”

Demnar estimates he speaks to Doug every day on the phone, but also suggests that might be a little bit conservative.

When accepting the Queensland Flame prize at Albion Park on Thursday evening, Doug and Heather thanked an array of people who have helped with their star bitch qualifying for the massive money race in Melbourne.

They said that there was too many people to name them all, but there is no doubt that Demnar was one who they were singling out for praise.

According to Doug, who trains his kennel out of Elimbah, Tyanna Belle has an army of fans who will keep a close eye on her trek closely down to Melbourne.

Spotted Elk most certainly did the Sunshine State proud last year – running into second – and the Gladmans are hopeful they can follow suit.

“We are taking a lot of people down on the journey with us that have supported us over the years,” Doug said.

“There is a lot of people who follow her and they will follow her to Melbourne.

“It is important to say that she is not just going for Heather and I, she is going for everyone in Queensland and her followers, with all the racing people behind her.

“She is the idol of a lot of people and it is good for greyhound racing to see dogs like her go away and have an opportunity like this.

“Hopefully everyone comes with her.”

While the white and black bitch has over 70 starts to her name and collected her 26^th winner in the Queensland Flame, it was her first in black-type company.

She has made several Listed Finals previously, but was yet to break through.

Doug is of the belief that if not for the complications around greyhound racing through the Covid periods as well as injuries she has suffered, Tyanna Belle most certainly would have another Group or Listed race on her resume.

“I just felt that every time we had her ready for a Group race, something would happen like Covid or an injury, or something like that,” Doug said.

“She has been such a wonderful job and she deserved some kind of a Group race.

“While it was important to me, it was also important to her, and my lovely wife Heather – who adores the dog.

“It was great for her to now have that against her name as she has earnt and deserves it.”

While Demnar is yet to prepare a winner in his own right as a trainer, he can boast having handled numerous for the Gladmans over the time.

He has been alongside Tyanna Belle for long periods of her career.

She is a special dog to the racing lover.

“She is a litter carer, in the parading area she will turn and jump on you and want a scratch or a kiss,” he said.

“I get so much happiness from it because I see what Doug and Heather do and they deserve these results and so does she.

“I love the sport, it takes your mind off everything else and you can just focus on the dogs.”

The kennel were in the days following Thursday’s Final plotting their trip to Victoria to race for the huge dollars on offer, with Doug declaring his star bitch was a wonderful traveller.

“She will just need one of us with her, depending on how we want to make the trip down,” he said.

There is $1.65 million on the line in The Phoenix later this month.

That matters for little to the Gladmans.

As a duo, they declare they race for the satisfaction and achievement that comes with it and they are not worried about money.