The phrase rake away means to...

The phrase "rake away" is specifically used in the context of falconry to describe a situation where the bird is executed a sudden, horizontal movement or maneuver away from its current flight path, often as a reaction to environmental stimuli or during the course of hunting. This maneuver allows the bird to evade obstacles or predators while maintaining its ability to remain in pursuit of its quarry.

Selecting "abandon the flight and careen away" captures this essence as it implies the swift change in direction associated with the term. The other options, while relevant to different aspects of falconry, do not accurately represent the specific action denoted by "rake away." For example, preparing for a stoop relates to the bird getting ready to dive, catching the quarry pertains to successfully capturing prey, and returning to the perch describes a completely different action, which involves the bird coming back to a resting spot after flight.