Jenni In Rome's unique arrival precedes Golden Gift tilt

New Zealand-originating filly Jenni In Rome has arrived in Sydney under remarkable circumstances, requiring three false starts and a custom-built freight container. Fortunately, trainers Richard and Will Freedman report no issues since her arrival.

Purchased at the Karaka Sale, the two-year-old encountered an unusual obstacle when she refused to enter a standard crate for her flight across the Tasman Sea.

"It took them three goes to get her from New Zealand here on the plane," commented Will Freedman. "These big New Zealand men were trying to lift her on, and she was like, 'nope, not having a bar of it'. She just refused to go anywhere near it. They ended up putting her on (the plane) without the container, and then they built it around her. There was one point where I felt like I was going to have to tell the owners I was going to train her remotely in New Zealand. But she has come over here and been bombproof."

After demonstrating potential in her barrier trials, Jenni In Rome launched a strong late charge from the back of the field to finish third in the Kirkham Plate (1000m) on her debut.

She seemed set to win halfway up the straight but faded in the concluding 100 metres. Freedman anticipates that this race experience will greatly benefit her in the upcoming Golden Gift (1100m) at Rosehill on Saturday, despite facing an outside barrier draw.

"She had a really healthy, big blow after her first start and I think she needed that run," Freedman said. "She's come through the run well. She looks like a pre-Christmas two-year-old. I remember looking at her in the yard in the Kirkham, and she was smaller in stature than a lot of her counterparts, but quite often those are the two-year-olds that really do thrive at this time of year."

While Jenni In Rome is yet to race at Rosehill, she trains at the venue and recently completed a gallop on the course proper on Monday.

The filly will be reunited with her regular rider, Jason Collett, for the Golden Gift. The substantial $1 million prize purse for the event means the winner and runner-up are virtually guaranteed a start in next year's Golden Slipper.

"She got a look around the course proper on Monday, which is a big thing for these two-year-olds. She's not going to have to go to an unfamiliar environment," Freedman noted. "It's all about the little details that make a big difference in the end."

A full field of 14 runners and four emergencies have been declared for the Golden Gift, with Jenni In Rome being one of seven runners with prior race experience.

Punters can explore the betting markets for the Golden Gift at leading online bookmakers.