Rocky boss targets Maiden 1000 series

By Pat McLeod

Rockhampton Greyhound Club President Mark Bube will be in his ‘perfect place’ when the lids fly in a heat of the Sky Racing Rockhampton Maiden 1000 (407m) on Wednesday night.

The 65-year-old greyhound devotee loves nothing more than to ‘bring out the best’ in a greyhound and especially see those results come to fruition in a heats and final scenario.

“I have Spot On Pearl (Box 6) in the heats on Wednesday night and it is her first start for me,” Bube said.

“She is part of a (Koblenz x Ellie Grace) litter owned by a local trainer Trent Thorley.

“Trent is an electrician and has a couple of big jobs coming up and can’t put the time that he would like to into this litter and asked me if I would like one.

“Spot On Pearl has been with me for about five weeks. Before that, she had four starts for two thirds and although she hasn’t shown anything on the track to rave about, she gallops really well in the paddock.

“I think she can be a nice little race dog.

“It is great to win races, but for me winning isn’t everything.

“I love training greyhounds and the most enjoyment I get is seeing a dog perform at its best. That may not be a win, but might be a third, fourth or fifth.

“However, the times and the run will tell me that the dog has performed at its best and that is what gives me the most joy.

“I also like the heats and finals format of greyhound racing. To me it doesn’t matter whether it is a maiden final or a Rocky Cup final.

“When you win through a heat and then progress to a final, it is exciting.

“So, the fact that this is a first starter for me, in a heat and there’s the potential to bring this dog on to perform at her best, well that makes it a bit special.”

Wednesday’s two Maiden 1000 heats include some interesting runners, including Spot On Pearl’s litter brother, Spot On Fred (Dallas Beckett), who so far has registered two second placings from just the two starts.

Also, Juanita Thompson will be campaigning Pelorus, who is out of the regally bred Aussie Infrared x Sequana litter.

One of that litter, Another Bill (Selena Zammit), has had two starts for two wins at Albion Park. 

Its most recent win was on Group 1 ‘Cups Night’ at The Creek last week, when it won a Novice 520m race.

Bube retired about 18 months ago as the HR manager for Teys Australia’s Rockhampton Abattoir.

He says he is now able to put more time in at his kennels, on one and a half hectares, just north of Rockhampton.

“I am enjoying retirement and being involved in greyhounds,” he said.

“They are a lovely animal to be around.

“My family had greyhounds when I was in my teens. Then I got married, got busy with my own family and work and didn’t have anything to do with greyhounds for many years.

“Then in 2009 when my son was in his teens I decided to get back into them and it was something that we did together.

“Now he is married with his own family, but I stayed on with the dogs.

“My wife Judith helps a lot and we are enjoying the industry as much as ever.”