Training and driving, young Codi has the harness racing bug

The fact that the only horse Codi Rauchenberger trains is a trotter reflects on how she cut her teeth in harness racing.

The NSW-born Rauchenberger spent her formative years helping out prominent mentor of trotters Peter Carson.

“I was out at Peter and Cathy Carson’s place pretty much before I could walk. I used to sit on their lap in the sulky,” Rauchenberger said.

Rauchenberger progressed to driving in pony trot races at 12 and it wasn’t long before she was driving trackwork behind the trotters.

“I always used to sit behind a trotter, I never drove a pacer until I got my driver’s licence - I loved the trotters growing up,” she said.

Rauchenberger didn’t waste time finding her way to the winner’s stall.

“I drove a winner with my first drive, a free-legged pacer called Boobalaga Road at Canberra,” she said.

Two years ago, Rauchenberger relocated to Victoria and took up a role with Margaret Lee’s western district stable.

And 12 months ago, Rauchenberger took out her trainer’s licence.

“The Gnotuk Equine Group leased Honey Bourbon off Pat Driscoll and gave her to me to train,” she said.

Honey Bourbon has won five races under the tutelage of Rauchenberger, including the Group 3 Vicbred Super Series 3YO Trot at Geelong in December last year.

“I got lucky to keep her, she’s not the best horse but she’s honest and very well mannered,” she said.

The 23-year-old Rauchenberger will be aiming for her second metropolitan success when she partners Our Uncle Jim, who has drawn the pole in the DNR Logistics Pace at Melton on Saturday night.

“It went really well last start. I was actually a bit surprised because we sat parked and I didn’t think it could do so much work and still run on in such a quick last quarter,” she said.

“We will either lead or be behind the leader and he’s got a good little sprint on him, so hopefully we’re close enough on the turn.”

Picture: Geelong Harness Racing Club