Two days later than expected, Muswellbrook Racecourse in Australia will have its first program of the year on Thursday. A program on Tuesday was postponed two days because of wet conditions, but the races are largely the same. Lochita, the 5-year-old Australian-bred mare, will have her second start after an eight-month layoff in a handicap at 7 1/2 furlongs and faces a tough rival in Dashing ‘n’ Daring. After Lochita finished a respectable fourth in a handicap at 6 1/4 furlongs at Taree Racecourse on Dec. 20, the longer distance on Thursday should be a good fit. Lochita has won 3 of 8 starts, including two starts in handicaps at a mile in February and April. :: Get free past performances, analysis, and picks for Australian racing Lochita is part of a field of 13 in the sixth race at Muswellbrook. First post time is 10:25 p.m. Eastern, or 7:25 p.m. Pacific, on Wednesday. Wagering and viewing is available through DRFBets.com. Lochita will start from post 4, which should aid her stalking style. Lochita was winless in two starts for the training combination of Adrian Bott and Gai Waterhouse before joining current trainer Jason Deamer in late 2019. Deamer is having a good week. The stable had two wins at Taree on Monday. Lochita is helped by a weight assignment of 126.7 pounds, compared to 134.4 pounds for topweight Disgraceful, who will be a longshot, or Dashing ‘n’ Daring, who will carry 131 pounds and rates a good chance to win for the third time in his last five starts. A 6-year-old Australian-bred gelding, Dashing ‘n’ Daring won a seven-furlong handicap at Tuncurry Racecourse on Dec. 7 in his first start since late August. Dashing ‘n’ Daring won a lower-level handicap at 7 1/2 furlongs at Muswellbrook on Aug. 2 and followed with a game loss by a nose in a handicap at the same distance at Muswellbrook on Aug. 16. Larynx, a winner of 3 of 23 starts, may set the pace, but has not been able to maintain that position in recent starts. Larynx is winless in his last six starts since a handicap at 7 1/4 furlongs at Muswellbrook in April.