Trainer Michael Trotter was quietly confident heading into Rumbled Again’s first-up run at Caulfield, despite a challenging return to racing.

The mare, who won the Group 3 Summoned Stakes (1600m) at Caulfield in November, resumed in the Group 3 Mannerism Stakes (1400m) on February 22, but things went wrong from the start.

Trotter explained that Rumbled Again became fractious in the barriers, knocked her head, and jumped awkwardly.

Stewards reported mucus following a scope, blood in the right nostril, and lameness in the right hind leg.

Despite finishing last, Rumbled Again was only 3-¼ lengths behind the runner-up, with Coeur Volante winning by four lengths.

“She had a small cut, and though she bled, her scope was clear,” Trotter said.

Rumbled Again is now set to race in the Group 3 Aspiration Quality (1600m) at Randwick, where Trotter hopes for softer ground.