Back on track: New mum’s winning way

Parenthood is definitely agreeing with Riverina harness racing horsewoman Amy Diebert!

Diebert and her partner Seth Russell became parents late last year, and Amy returned to driving last month when baby Scarlett was two months old.

After just 10 drives, Diebert steered home Complicated (Rock N Roll Heaven) at Albury on February 25 for trainer Len Clement, then three days later saluted on Burton (Captaintreacherous) for David Druitt at her home track, the Riverina Paceway at Wagga Wagga.

She’s now had 17 drives for two wins and five seconds since returning to race driving.

“I knew both of those two had a good chance, but you never go thinking that you’re going to win,” Diebert said.

“It’s good to be back – I was missing it, and it was definitely nice to get a couple of wins early.  I’ve been pretty happy with how I have come back into it,” she said.

Amy has Riverina harness racing in her DNA, being the daughter of trainer Malcolm Diebert and granddaughter of industry legend Norm, but said the sport was never really on her radar until a few years ago.

“I’d done mini trots when I was a little kid and loved that – my sister Laura and I had a pair of bottlers for ponies that we used to do mini trots and pony club with.  I think in all honesty we both really liked riding better at that stage, so we ended up going that way,” she said.

“Of course, I was always around the horses and the stables at home, but my harness racing involvement really only started when COVID happened.

“I work in administration at an accounting company, but everything went to working from home and the administration side of the business was shut down for a long time.

“So I left my normal job and started to help dad and I just loved it.  Then in 2022 I started driving and I took out my own trainer’s licence in 2023.”

Amy is still on maternity leave from her role, but she is “pretty much full time” helping out at the Diebert barn at Yanco in the meantime.

“There’s about 15 horses in the boxes, and as soon as one goes there’s another one in its place,” Diebert said.

“There’s a paddock full of mares, too, and we’re preparing quite a few yearlings for the Bathurst sales at the end of the month. So as a trainer I only have a small team – there’s not much opportunity for anything more than that,” she said.

“I got pretty lucky with Seth because he is just as passionate as I am, if not more, so it’s pretty much a team effort.  We live in town – well, we sleep in town – but basically every spare hour of the day is here!” she laughed.

Amy’s next drives are at the Riverina Paceway on Friday for Wagga trainer Brett Woodhouse.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink