CENTRAL CITY’S victory in the Boylesports.com Derby at Clonmel on Wednesday was a performance that defied all the traditions of greyhound breeding and which could have a major effect on future breeding lines.

CENTRAL CITY, a track-bred dog who had his first outing on a coursing field at East Donegal on New Years Day when he was a fourth reserve in a All-Aged Stake, and then went on to win his trial stake at Tubbercurry, was a surprise winner of the Boylesport.Com Derby at Clonmel yesterday.

They knew. They just knew.

It was like a serious car-crash scene, a huge and anxious crowd gathered around the pitch of Michael and Marie Field, all eyes trained on the action in the centre, murmurs of concern, of sympathy.

IT was a disastrous day for favourite backers on the second day of the National Coursing Meeting in Clonmel yesterday, with the long odds favourites in both the Derby and Oaks going out.

The facilities will be limited but it will be a happy occasion when Shelbourne Park re-opens for racing this evening following the longest break the track has had since the Foot and Mouth outbreak.