Hall began to become concerned when Floral Lace went a stretch of 500-metre races where she was having to run on from the tail, much preferring her front running staying style.
“We’ve been fortunate with her box draws first up over the 600 at Albion Park and last start at Ipswich, but you still have to use them and it’s really good to see her jump and run,” he said.
“That’s how you get confidence into young dogs is getting them to the front on the arm, that’s where they mature and learn to race properly.”
Floral Lace doesn’t get the benefit of the inside this Saturday, but Hall thinks last week’s win should have her riding high and ready for a finals spot.
“Her heat on Saturday night is definitely a tougher field than what she faced last start; I’m not concerned about the five box and I think if she steps the way she did last Saturday then she should be forward again and even if she doesn’t lead she is fit and can run on late,” he said.
“We’re asking a fair bit of her given her lack of racing and age but she’s handled every hurdle we’ve put in front of her so far and I’m confident she can take that next step and hopefully give herself a shot in the final.
“We’d love to see her come out and win the series but there’s plenty to be gained even if she can’t make the final.
“It’s another solid hit out over the 630 metres which she should take further conditioning from and we’ll head to Albion Park on Monday nights to hone her craft before an eventual step up to the 700.”
Floral Lace isn’t the only stylish looking progeny of the Barcia Bale/Goodnight Sky litter, with a brother already making waves and two sisters waiting in the wings.
“They’re looking like a handy litter; Blue Bandana along with Floral lace are the two that have been really forward and allowed us to get them to the track early, but I’ve got another couple of bitches who are yet to start,” Hall said.
“He (Blue Bandana) doesn’t quite have the motor his sister has and we’re happy to keep him ticking along over the 500s through his grades at the moment, but he’s a well above average chaser.
“The dam Goodnight Sky belongs to George Miltos down in Victoria; this Barcia Bale litter was just her second, but she looks like she’s going to be a really good brood bitch.”