Jackie Barker can finally add not one, but two Group 1 crowns to her resume after a magical Vicbred Super Series final’s performance on Saturday night.
The Hamilton based reinswoman took out the three-year-old colts and geldings final with the Emma Stewart-prepared Miki To Success, before combining with stablemate Iveseenheavenslight 30 minutes later.
“I’m still processing it all,” Barker said. “It’s just massive.”
The hard work and sacrifice have finally paid off for the 28-year-old.
“I have been working towards a Group 1 win for a while and they are so hard to come by and then to get two so quickly – is unbelievable,” she said.
Barker started her driving campaign back in 2014 and recently clocked up win 500 which has included a swag of country cups and metro Melton wins.
The almost three-hour trip from the west of the state to Victoria’s harness racing headquarters has finally reaped its rewards.
“It’s a lot of work and a lot of sacrifice, I think that is why it is so special when you do win, especially a Group 1,” Barker, from Hamilton, said.
“When you get to where you have been working towards, it is such a massive relief, and you work so hard to get there and it means so much.
“I have sacrificed a lot and worked extremely hard and probably done ridiculous things to get ahead and go on big trips for one drive and it all paid off on Saturday night.
“It has been a lot of kilometres and a lot of late nights and a lot of losses.”
The 28-year-old has had to rise above to continually fight for her Group 1 dream.
“I am very hard on myself to do better, I think there is a lot of things that come into play and the mental stress we put on ourselves,” Barker said.
“We want to do well for the connections and the people who are giving us the opportunities.
“It was a big thank you for everyone who supported me, it wasn’t just for me.”
Barker is set to represent Victoria alongside fellow reinswoman Ewa Justice in Australia’s Female Drivers Championship in Launceston, Tasmania on Sunday October 20.
“It is so exciting; I have never done something like this before in terms of representing Victoria,” she said.
Barker has driven 506 winners since her career began in 2014, including 82 this season.
