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Trainer Declares Gelding Is 'Ready To Strike' At Kembla (Thursday)

How Much Better is still a work in progress but his trainer Sara Ryan believes the lightly-raced gelding is still ready to win at Kembla Grange on Thursday.

Ryan is hunting a winning double on south of Sydney with How Much Better looking to end a recent run of placings in the Join 2025 Warra Club Provincial Class 1 (1600m).

The son of All Too Hard broke his maiden on debut at Wyong a year to the day on Friday but has struggled to replicate the performance in the 12 months since.

Grey galloper How Much Better (Kerrin McEvoy) scores narrowly at Wyong. Image by Bradley Photographers

However, there have been positive signs throughout this preparation with How Much Better finishing runner-up both starts this preparation.

How Much Better is an equal $3.10 TAB favourite to double his winning tally with Andrew Atkins in the saddle.

"He is still learning his craft but he is ready to strike now that's for sure," Ryan said.

"He has been quite slow (learning), he does a lot wrong and gets a bit antsy in the barriers and leans on them.

"At the moment he is just learning and is a big baby but I do think he will be a much better horse once he gets out to more of a 2000m trip. He needs to learn to switch off and relax."

How Much Better is a half-brother to Ryan's multiple city winner Much Much Better, which has earned more than $600,000 for the stable.

Three-year-old filly Lady Justice ($6) is another Ryan galloper that is still learning but is expected to appreciate the step up in trip in the Kembla Grange Classic March 14th Class 1 Plate (2000m).

Ryan is weighing up her options with daughter of Justify, which is also an acceptor in a 1900m event at Canterbury Park on Friday night, however, she believes Kembla is a suitable race.

"It looks a nice race for her," she said. "The blinkers are on. We are ready for her to travel a bit kinder, she has been a bit lazy.

"She screams a 2000m plus horse, she has the biggest stride in my barn but she is one of those horses, you have to teach them to get out to that trip."

Reigning two-time Sydney champion apprentice and now senior rider Zac Lloyd will link up with Lady Justice.

The filly has placed in two of her four starts to date including a first-up second at Kembla over 1400m.

View final fields with full form & race replays for Kembla Grange here

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