By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk
He’s named after the world’s best golfer Scottie Scheffler but trainer Jessica Young-Grant is putting a lid on expectations ahead of her colt’s debut at Timaru on Wednesday.
Scheffler, an American Ideal two-year-old, lines up in Race 6, the Brosnan Transport Passing Lane Mobile Pace (5.21pm).
“He has a lovely attitude, he’s such a gem,” says Young-Grant, “and we think he’ll be a really nice horse … eventually.”
But for now the youngster’s a bit of a project.
He won a workout in August at Rangiora before running fifth to Incentivise at the trials the following month.
“He will probably be a run short this week but if he’s running on we’ll be pretty happy.”
He meets a small but talented-looking field that includes Suspicious Captain, who’s been runner-up in his last two starts for the Dalgetys while Burt will be well-supported in his first start for Diamond Racing.
Young-Grant and husband Cam bred and race the colt. He’s the second foal out of nine-race winner Clasina Maria.
And with Cam being a very handy golfer, having represented Canterbury at this year’s Interprovincial, he was clearly the “driving” force behind naming him after the four-time Major champion.
Scheffler was offered for sale at the 2024 National Yearling Sale at Auckland but was passed in.
“He was a bit on the small side but we thought the Australians might buy him as they love the American Ideals,” says Young-Grant.
Now the plan is to race him themselves.
“We are keen to get a two-year-old bonus with him and we have three chances, with the other two on the grass at Methven and the Mot (Motukarara).”
“His mother was certainly better on the grass than the grit, so here’s hoping.”