It proved to be a long, long night for Swift Perth in London on Saturday. After winning his Trial Stakes for the William Hill Derby at Wimbledon in convincing fashion the dog was loaded into the van to be driven back to his kennel at Tintwistle in Derbyshire by trainer Peter Crosse’s wife Anne, but he didn’t get there until 4.40am on Sunday morning.
Anne explained: “I got totally lost leaving the car park at Plough Lane and ended up at Clapham Junction three times before I found myself back at the Plough Lane car park at almost 1am. I did eventually find a rout home via the M4, but it didn’t perturb the dog at all. He has a wonderful temperament and slept all the way though the journey.
“I was absolutely delighted with his win on Saturday and I filled the entry form in for the Derby right after the race. He will now go straight for the Derby, although he might just have one trial at Doncaster if Peter thinks he needs it. We think he is a good competition type of dog and we can’t wait for the race to get started.”
Swift Perth has an unblemished record in the Derby. He won his first round heat last year, only to come down with a cough in the build-up to the next round from which he had to be withdrawn.
