Domeland has spent up big over the years without a commensurate amount of success but may have picked the best winner of all in trainer Sara Ryan who rewarded them by capturing last month’s $3million The Big Dance at Randwick with Attractable.
Ryan saddled up How Much Better for his career debut in the Stainless FX Maiden Hcp (1400m) at Wyong on Wednesday, and the son of All Too Hard did not disappoint.
With Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle, How Much Better travelled on the outside of leader Elusive Mission.
The lone debutant in the race, How Much Better toughed it out in a driving finish to defeat the Dundeel gelding Dunbelievin' by a long-head, with a short-head back to the Reliable Man gelding Discover in third.
“He got into a great spot, had a breather and switched off, and he was gritty in the finish,” Ryan said.
“There is improvement there; he was wobbling all over the track down the straight. We will get him home and see where we go with him. Hopefully, he is as good as his brother.”
A $220,000 purchase for Domeland from the Vinery Stud draft at the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, the strapping grey colt is a half-brother to Much Much Better (Stratum), who has won two races for Sara Ryan after winning previously for John O’Shea and Gary Moore and banking $558,450 from eight wins.
How Much Better is the third winner from as many to race for the Starcraft mare Dayeala, a half-sister to stakes-winner Sky Punch (Alamosa) from the family of Irish Derby winner Grey Swallow.
Dayeala did not have a live foal for two seasons before foaling an Exceedance colt on September 26.
