Rebel Raider (pictured at Flemington) has has finished a credible fourth first up at Morphetville

It wasn’t quite the dream comeback they were hoping for but it was pretty close to it on the weekend when Rebel Raider made a successful return after a year out of the game.

The now six year old ran in the Group 3 Spring Stakes at Morphetville and finished a credible fourth behind the winner Uxorious.

For a horse that’s suited to a longer trip it was a good result over 100m, especially given the way the track was playing.

Clare Lindop has enjoyed a highly successful partnership with Rebel Raider and was delighted with the way he ran.

“It wasn’t really a day to be making ground from well back, but he and Alcopop both got home really well,” she said.

“It really is a case of one race at a time with him, but he’s come out of the run pretty well.”

It was a race he actually won 12 months ago but since then he’s been sent around in circles with connections struggling to give him a concrete path.

He was due to be retired to stud after cracking a bone in his leg during the Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington last September.

Unfortunately though they couldn’t settle on an adequate deal with any stud farm and the call was made to send him back out to the track in the bid to sure up his credentials.

He’s already won twice at Group 1 level in the South Australian Derby and the Victoria Derby but Lindop says they’re seeking more Group level success.

“A win at a mile (1600m) or 2000m at Group level would do wonders for his stud career and that is the aim,” she said.

“He’s entered for the Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup but his form will be assessed after each run to see if he progresses to those races or goes for the Country Cups.”

His next start though is likely to still be in Adelaide where he’ll run across 1400m at listed level in the Penny Edition Stakes on August 20.

Once again he could meet Alcopop in the event with both horses likely to follow similar paths in 2011.

The stable also hasn’t ruled out sending Rebel Raider back to the Makybe Diva Stakes in a bid to make amends for last year’s run.

Lindop naturally has a  close bond with the horse having won plenty of races on him including both Group 1 triumphs.

That effort surely comes close to surpassing her achievements with Augusta Proud with which she won seven races with including the 2008 Magic Millions.

“She was very good to me but a Group 3 was her best,” Lindop said.

“I’ve won two Group 1s on him and it would be nice to think he hasn’t finished yet.”