Star jockey Chris Parnham is ready for racing riding action again when he returns to the saddle after an injury-enforced layoff at Bunbury on Wednesday.
Parnham has not ridden since sustaining serious injuries when he fell from Midnight Minstrel in the latter stage of a race at Pinjarra in April.
After being taken to hospital initial fears were realised when a fracture of his c7 vertebrae was diagnosed, ruining a big chunk of his season.
Parnham was enjoying a red-letter 2024-2025 season, taking on all comers nationally as Australia’s leading rider with 123 winners.
National honours for a second time are now lost, he’s been leapfrogged by Blake Shinn, William Pike and Lucy Fiore, but Perth’s title remains within reach.
Parnham holds front position with 92 city wins, maintaining a slender lead over Pike (90 ½) and breathing new life into the premiership battle.
A winner of 90-black-type races, Parnham is back riding sooner than expected after it was feared his season was wiped out through injury.
He’s excited to be back and starts with four rides.
“I’m excited to back, for sure,” Parnham told The Races WA.
“I rode track work last week and gradually stepped it up every day.
“I’m obviously a bit sore when you first come back, that’s pretty normal.
“But the neck is really good and I feel good.
“I feel like I’m ready and there is no issue with my neck.
“I’m not concerned about it at all.
“As set of trials would have been good but a week of track work is good enough.”
Parnham’s return is timely and ensures he and Pike will go right down to the wire to determine Perth’s best rider for the season.
Getting on top of a serious injury was Parnham’s first call of business, but staring down Pike’s challenge does hold motivating appeal.
“A little bit, a little bit,” Parnham said.
“The neck was the number one priority, but it will be nice to come back and win if I can.
“If I can’t, I can’t, but I’ll give myself every chance.
“It will be nice, but he’s a hard man to beat.
“There’s still a fair way to go.”
Parnham will ride Flash Dancer in race two, Yankee Ace, race three, Nickelplay in the seventh and Manhattan Strip to round out his comeback in the final midweek event.
Julio Santarelli