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By Ray Hickson

Cyclone Alfred caused trainer Cassandra Stummer to cut short a campaign in Queensland for her consistent galloper Rebel’s Edge but the gelding has certainly appreciated being back home.

Trainer Cassandra Stummer (Pic: Grant Guy)

In four starts under Lindsay Gough he didn’t produce his best but since he’s returned to the Muswellbrook trainer’s base he hasn’t missed a beat.

The six-year-old will be out to continue his run of form in the Dubbo Rhino Lodge Handicap (1600m) at Dubbo on Sunday.

“There wasn’t anything for him and we wanted to give him a crack up there,’’ Stummer said.

“He had a few issues with the weather getting him fit.

“We didn’t know how bad Cyclone Alfred would be so we brought him home, I missed him a lot so I’m happy to have him back.”

Rebel’s Edge, $2.80 with TAB on Saturday, left Queensland after running at Doomben on February 22 and was next seen at Tamworth where he finished runner-up on April 1.

He notched career win number seven taking out the Wingham Cup at Taree on June 5 and Stummer said there were genuine excuses for his last start fourth on his home track eight days later.

“He got a little further back than we wanted, there wasn’t much speed in it and I did say to Gibbo (Andrew Gibbons) I thought it was going to be a sit and sprint,’’ she said.

“There was a bit of an incident early in the race where Sizzle Minizzle galloped up his legs, he wasn’t comfortable then and drifted back. But I thought he ran a cracker of a race.”

Stummer said Rebel’s Edge took no physical harm from the incident in that race and is more than happy to press on in what she feels is a suitable race.

“He’s going well and he pulled up well from Muswellbrook, I saw this race and thought it’d be an ideal race for him,’’ she said.

“I couldn’t believe it when the nominations came out.

“He’s a horse that just needs everything go right for him. He can do a bit wrong and he needs to be put into the race at the right time.

“From barrier one I don’t think he will be back as far, he’s not a leader but he can be a bit closer.”

Stablemate Cupid’s Kiss will wait an extra day and tackle the Sky International Handicap (1000m) at Taree on Tuesday.

The mare is also back in Stummer’s yard after a stint with Jeremy Sylvester at Cessnock though she may well return there at some point this preparation.

“We purchased her from John Ramsey years ago, she’s just a bit of a difficult horse,’’ Stummer said.

“She’s hard to ride trackwork. Jeremy can train off the farm and she might end up back with him.

Rebel's Edge wins at Taree on June 5

“She gets herself pretty fit pretty fast, she’s very speedy and I’m very happy with her.

“She’ll probably need a couple of runs but she loves Taree and she loves it wet.”

All the fields, form and replays for Sunday’s Dubbo meeting