Premier Perth trainer Neville Parnham unveils his brilliant trial winner Underhanded at Ascot on Wednesday.

Underhanded (3g Scandal Keeper – Pretentious by Towkay) blitzed his rivals by more than three lengths in a Belmont trial over 1000m on October 29.  The runner-up Charlie’s Joy came out and ran a cracking third first-up at Ascot last Tuesday.

Parnham has nominated Underhanded for the Crown Perth Hcp (1100m) and has added blinkers for his debut.  He also prepares Island Scandal who beat Charlie’s Joy in the Devil’s Lair Fifth Leg Hcp (1200m) on Melbourne Cup day.

That result continued the marvellous run by Yarradale Stud’s boom sire Scandal Keeper.  The beautifully bred son of Danzig had his 2012 book filled to the brim in June!

Yarradale owner Ron Sayers and long-time mate Paul Cooke race Island Scandal and they also share in the Underhanded partnership along with several stable clients including Trevor Holgate and Mike Fagan.

Underhanded failed to reach a $50,000 reserve at the 2011 Perth Magic Millions.  His dam Pretentious was a busy two year-old racing 10 times for a win at Northam and four placings at Ascot and Belmont in 2002-03.

Pretentious has already produced the winning Citidancer fillies Dance Studio and Elite Class and her latest is a War Chant colt foaled in September.

There’s plenty of stamina in her pedigree through New Zealand bred stayers Reingard (G2 Canterbury Gold Cup), McGuane (LR Ballarat Cup) and Dandy Andy (G1 VRC Australian Cup).

Scandal Keeper filly Secret Scandal can keep the momentum going in the G3 Champion Fillies Stakes (1600m) at Ascot this Saturday.  She is overdue to salute at stakes level after placings in the LR Belgravia Stakes and LR Burgess Queen Stakes.

– Karl Patterson

UNDERHANDED
Scandal Keeper colt pictured before 2011 Perth Magic Millions