Even after a troubled trip in the stretch, Military Mission was only 1 1/2 lengths away from a win at Royal Ascot in England last June. Since then, Military Mission has been transferred from trainer Hugo Palmer to trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott in Australia. The gelding will have his second start in the country in a handicap at 7 3/4 furlongs at Canterbury Park in Sydney on Thursday. The program was scheduled for Wednesday, but was postponed for a day because of excessive rain. Military Mission finished eighth of 12 in a one-mile handicap at Cranbourne Racecourse in Australia in October. Since then, Military Mission has been rested and has appeared in two schooling races from the gate, or barrier trials, in recent weeks. :: Get free past performances, analysis, and picks for Australian racing At Canterbury, Military Mission is part of a field of 10 and will be ridden for the first time by Rachel King, who was aboard for the training races. Military Mission has one win in eight starts. The win came in an allowance race at 1 1/4 miles at Salisbury Racecourse in England last May. He was later second in a handicap at 1 5/16 miles at Chester Racecourse and fifth in the King George V Handicap at 1 1/2 miles at Royal Ascot after briefly racing in traffic in the final furlong. The race was won by Surefire, who was also sent to Australia later in 2021 and won his debut in that country in a lucrative handicap at 1 1/4 miles at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney on Feb. 26. Military Mission drew post 7 at Canterbury Park, which should accommodate his stalking style. The race favorite will be Sword Point, a consistent colt by American Pharoah who is trained by Chris Waller. Sword Point has won 2 of 6 starts with both wins in his last three races – a maiden race at 7 3/4 furlongs at Canterbury on Dec. 17 and a handicap at 1 1/4 miles at Rosehill Gardens on Jan. 15. In between Sword Point finished second by a head as the odds-on favorite in a one-mile handicap at Warwick Farm on Jan. 5. Waller trains Sword Point, who will be ridden by James McDonald. The Waller-McDonald partnership is often well-backed in Australian racing. Last November, they teamed to win the Melbourne Cup with Verry Elleegant. Canterbury Park has an eight-race program beginning at 9:15 p.m. Eastern or 6:15 p.m. Pacific on Wednesday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.