New mother Tayla French will be back in the sulky this Saturday night, just over three weeks since giving birth to her first child.

French and her partner, top trainer Alex Ashwood, welcomed little Levi into the world on May 2 and the 28-year-old reinswoman will team up with the stable’s headline horse, Parisian Artiste, just 22 days later in this weekend’s Hip Pocket Castlemaine Trotters Free For All at Melton.

French’s last race drive was with Parisian Artiste in December’s Inter Dominion Trotting Championship Grand Final at Menangle, with the pair finishing well down the track behind winner The Locomotive.

“Hector”, as he’s affectionately known, has had six starts since that race, with his best performances being runner-up placings in the Charlton and Bendigo cups, and in another free-for-all event at Melton, for stand-in driver Ellen Tormey.

Now, some six months on from that forgettable Inter Dominion decider, French is ready to take back the reins of her favourite horse.

“It’s probably a little bit crazy to everyone, but I feel pretty good,” French said. “I did say I wanted to be back in the cart two weeks after birth, but that was probably a little bit too crazy.

“I’ve definitely missed it (driving) being on the sidelines, especially with Hector. He’s always been my go-to, so it’s been hard watching him for his half dozen starts while somebody else has driven him… I’m rapt to be back on him.”

French and Parisian Artiste will start from barrier seven on Saturday night against a strong field that includes Great Southern Star champ Watts Up Partytime, the in-form Harry Stamper, the Lee family’s gun mare Aldebaran Vera and multiple Group 1 winner Plymouth Chubb.

“It’s not an ideal draw, but I won’t be bustling him off the gate,” French said. “I’ll probably drive him a little bit cautiously this week being my first drive back.

“He was pretty disappointing last time, but he’s trained on well since. In saying that, I haven’t really been out to the farm to give him his daily TLC, so it might be a few weeks until you see the best of him. He can only improve I’d say.”

French said plans were in place to take Parisian Artiste to Queensland for July’s Inter Dominion carnival, but a final decision on that trip will hinge on his upcoming performances.

“We’ve nominated and we’ll see how he goes over the next few weeks. Hopefully he shows he’s capable of going,” French said.

“Hopefully we can head up there - similar to his Sydney campaign last year - and get away for about a month.”