Talented young reinswoman Jackie Barker is hoping the leaders “come up for air” during the Nutrien Equine Classic three-year-old fillies’ final at Melton.

The 29-year-old Barker will partner the Emma Stewart-trained Ivseenheavenslight, who has drawn the second row in the $125,000 feature.

The daughter of Bettors Delight resumed with a first-up all-the-way win in her heat last Friday and Barker expects further improvement, albeit in a stronger assignment, tonight.

“She worked to the lead and virtually did it on her own in the heat without me having to ask anything of her,” Barker said. “It will be tougher in the final with the addition of the interstate fillies, but I’m sure she would have been a lot sharper if anything had have come up and raced her in the heat.”

Barker concedes her winning chances depend on the race tempo over the 2240-metre journey.

“My filly can do a bit of work in the race, which may be the case as I’m probably going to have to go forward at some stage. Hopefully the leaders have a breather during the middle stages and I can get up near the lead,” she said.

“Whatever happens here, I’m sure she will run a great race and she has a bright future.”

Ivseenheavenslight provided Barker with a memorable night when she took out the Group 1 Vicbred Super Series final for two-year-old fillies at her last run before a spell in September. Only 30 minutes earlier, Barker chalked up the first Group 1 success of her career when she steered Miki To Success to victory in the Vicbred Super Series three-year-old colts and geldings’ final.

“It was an unbelievable night, to win my first Group 1 and then my second in the following race,” Barker said. “It’s a night I will remember forever.”

Barker’s association with the powerful Stewart stable dates back to the relationship between her father Rod and the late Peter Tonkin.