Lady Echelon Set To Make Amends For Melb

Lady Echelon had no luck during the Melbourne spring carnival but trainer Natalie McCall believes the mare's efforts will be a sound pointer to her chances in the Recognition Stakes at Doomben on Saturday.

Lady Echelon accompanied her Group One-winning stablemate River Lad to Victoria and had two unplaced runs.

However, McCall was far from disappointed and warned not to take them on face value.

"She was beaten long way at Caulfield after the jockey virtually sat up on her in the straight," McCall said.

"We raced her straight around to the vet to be scoped and checked over. He asked us which race she had been in," McCall said.

"When we told him the race just gone he was surprised to say the least as there was nothing wrong with her."

Lady Echelon also ran in the all greys' race at Flemington on VRC Oaks day when she finished seventh in a field of 14.

"To say she was unlucky was a bit of an understatement. I thought she should have won and so did the jockey (Mark Zahra)," McCall said.

"But you can't change things in the past. At least we got a good line through the form from the run because Liam's horse (trainer Liam Birchley) Time To Plunder was second in the greys race."

"Time to Plunder came back to Brisbane last Saturday and won very well."

Lady Echelon has won on a good track but five of her wins have been in rain-affected going.

"We've had some rain and more is predicted so that won't be worrying us. She handles up to heavy but the sting out of the ground is a help for her."

Lady Echelon also loves the Doomben 1600m, having won twice and been placed three times at the trip.

McCall has booked experienced rider Jeff Lloyd, who is making a return to Brisbane.