Kody Charles will create unique racing history when Slash And Burn lines up in the Kevrek Australian Maiden (1000m) at Northam on Thursday.
The 28-year-old becomes the first Western Australian trainer to hold a license simultaneously in the thoroughbred, pacing and greyhound racing codes.
Charles cut his teeth as a prominent harness racing trainer-reinsman and greyhound trainer for several years before being granted his thoroughbred license in August.
Charles is a third-generation trainer with his late grandfather, Tom and father, Kevin, prominent members of the harness racing community.
Charles, who trains on his home property at Hopelands, has a team of 16 greyhounds and two pacers in work.
Eight-year-old mare, Racy Lacy and Elsu gelding, Ergo, were recent winners at the Golden Mile Trotting Club in Kalgoorlie.
Charles’ racing passion extends to ownership where he has shares in several syndicated gallopers that are housed with high profile interstate trainers.
They include Celestial Dragon, a member of Bjorn Baker’s Sydney stable, a Hidden Dragon gelding who has won three races and just shy of $100,000 in prizemoney.
Slash And Burn, previously trained on-course at Caulfield under the guidance of Luke Oliver, is still a maiden after five starts.
The son of Raheeb last raced at Packenham in June and finished seventh of ten to Gungastruck when ridden by Noel Callow.
The four-year-old faces a difficult first up assignment after drawing awkwardly in gate eight. He will be ridden by Clinton Johnston Porter.
“He has drawn bad but you have to start somewhere,” said Charles.
“It looks a tough first up race.
“I thought about pulling him out but I could nominate next week and cop the same thing again.
“It’s a good starting point with no pressure jumping from out there.
“Hopefully he can get cover and run a good race.”
RWWA: Julio Santarelli