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Otaki trainer Karen Zimmerman intends to protect her territory by mounting a strong resistance at her local meeting on Friday.
Zimmerman will saddle seven runners in four races, but has all the major bases covered.
Langdon will carry topweight in the Majestic Horse Floats Handicap (2100m), dropping back slightly in grade from a meritorious sixth in the Gr.3 Hawke's Bay Cup (2200m) last start.A winner of eight of his 40 starts, Langdon was only beaten 2 1/2 lengths at Hastings, having finished second in the Masterton and Waverley Cups at his previous two outings.
He has won three of his seven starts on slow tracks, the expected going for Friday's meeting."He'll be very competitive. He should be hard to beat," Zimmerman said.
"He's improved since the Hawke's Bay Cup and it should be his type of track. The track is in really good nick. They did a lot of work on it after the last meeting and there's a beautiful sole of grass. We've had a lot of rain but the track has still come up a slow seven."Safely through Friday's race, Langdon will be set for the Trentham Gold Cup on May 23, a race Zimmerman will also consider for Gwynethanne, who contests the Ken Thomson Memorial (1600m) on the Otaki undercard along with stablemate Grace With Power.
Gwynethanne finished sixth in the Gr.3 Manawatu Breeders' Stakes (2000m) at Awapuni last start but Zimmerman only has moderate expectations for her on Friday."She had a bit of a cold so I had to back off her a bit and back to 1600m, she might need the run," Zimmerman said.
"I'll back her up in the open 1800m race at New Plymouth next weekend and from there we've got options of the Wanganui Cup or that race at Trentham."I'll just see what Grace With Power does before I decide what her next step will be. Neither like it really deep but I'd say the track here will suit them both."
Zimmerman will also produce Coastal Express in the Creative Catering Handicap (1200m) and the three-pronged attack of Carlton Prince, Jumanah and Brillante Brigitte in the Rachael Frost Racing Handicap (1600m).