Overlooked as a potential champion, she was, in every possible sense, the underdog.
But for Juno, the winner of the Musselburgh race course corgi derby, the roar of the crowd and the inspirational presence of Judy Murray, the mother of two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray, proved decisive.
All the talk before the event at Musselburgh race course in East Lothian, Scotland, had been of Rodney, the champion of two years ago.
And until the climactic moments of the 70-metre race, predictions of a second victory for Rodney looked justified.
But as the former winner charged for the line, his progress was impeded by the ferocious-looking Daisy, allowing Juno to slip through on the inside.
In the dog-eat-dog world of corgi racing, it was proof of the merits of focus, determination – and not jumping on the back of a rival contender.
‘This is her second race, so she’s got all of that out of her system already, so she had her eyes on the prize,’ Rodney’s proud owner Alisdair Tew told ITV Racing.
‘Most of the time she’s a bit of a goober, but she has a champion’s blood in her, I guess.’
Rodney, whose fourth birthday is fast approaching, posed afterwards with Murray, Tew and fellow owner Fran Brandon.
She received a trophy and a bag of treats for her troubles – bu would there be a special victory meal?
‘I think so,’ said Alisdair. ‘We like to keep her on a strict diet of falafel and brandy, so she’ll probably just get more of the same.’
The corgi derby was first held in 2022 to mark the platinum jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, whose love of the breed was well known.