Barnes (20) and the Gallant Guru mare have been a special combination during the 4yr-old's brief career to date, joining together for nine wins from 13 rides.
Include's eighth in the hands of Chris Johnson in the New Zealand Oaks last year was the only time Barnes has not been hoisted aboard on race day.
Barnes is understandably grateful to the Wayne and Karen Stewart-trained mare for putting her on the map.
''She means a lot. Who knows what can happen but she's definitely given me a big boost in my career,'' Barnes said from Timaru yesterday.
That association continues tomorrow in the listed South Island Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes at Riccarton, where Barnes and Include are shooting for their third black-type win together after victory in last year's Dunedin and Southland Guineas.
Include has drawn the handy barrier 5 in the 11-horse field of mares as she aims for her fifth straight win from as many starts this season.
Barnes, who knows the mare as well as anyone, expected Include to come back in fine fettle for her 4yr-old year.
''She's always shown us a lot so we thought she'd come up good this season and she has,'' she said.
''Obviously, the injury put her back a little bit but she's come back all good through it.''
The injury came in a float accident at Wingatui in December and forced her to miss the feature day at Wingatui, but she has shown no ill effects with her win at Ascot Park on February 14 followed up by an open handicap win over 1200m at Ashburton last Friday.
''I thought she would win but I didn't think she would win the way she did,'' Barnes said of the Ashburton run.
''I didn't expect her to be as flat as she was in the run but she definitely showed her class in the finish by the way she swamped them in the last little bit.
''I'm happy with five - she's got a bit of gate speed so she jumps and puts herself there [near the front] generally.''
Include has shown no fears over 1600m in the past, and the way she hit the line at Ashburton suggests the distance should be just right for her.
So where would Barnes like to be as the field rounds the home bend shortly after 4.17pm tomorrow?
''Just peeling out for a position to come at them.''
Barnes has one other ride tomorrow, when Ash looks like a lightweight chance in the rating 75 1400m.
The rating 67 mare will carry just 53kg after Barnes' 1kg apprentice allowance is taken into account, which should be of assistance.
''Stepping up to the 1400 will help as well. Her last start up the chute, they went a bit quick for her over the 1200m.''
