FOMO - the ‘Fear Of Missing Out.’
It was a feeling all too familiar to Perth jockey Brad Parnham on Monday morning as he waited to hear if his mount - the Stephen Miller-trainer Variation - was going to gain a start in Saturday’s $1 million Railway Stakes at Ascot.
"Monday morning was a little bit stressful because I knew I had a horse capable of being very competitive in the race," Parnham said.
"I had trials at Lark Hill. I kept having a sneaky look at the phone, just to check the updates.
"It was a bit of a nervous wait, but by the time we got to lunch time, I was quite relieved to see we’d gotten a run."
This year’s James Boag’s Premium Railway Stakes is being spoken about as the best there’s ever been.
That’s some accolade for a race that was first run way back in 1887.
"It’s been regarded as the biggest race in Perth for quite some time now," he said.
For quite some time ‘The Railway’ was all about the local horses, trainers and jockeys, but not anymore.
On Saturday, champion trainers Gai Waterhouse, Chris Waller, Darren Weir and David Hayes will saddle up horses from Sydney and Melbourne respectively.
While world-class jockeys Damien Oliver, Craig Williams and Douglas Whyte will again take centre stage in the saddle.
"I think the eastern state horses are very strong this year. We’ve got a bit to contend with," Parnham said.
"You never know how they are going to travel over and handle our heat here. It’s definitely going to be a hard race to win, but amongst the local horses, I know I’m in the top bracket."
Caption: Brad Parnham and Variation win earlier in the year. (Pic: Western Racepix)
Railway Stakes Day is the first of three million dollar racedays that make up the TABtouch Masters - a concept that’s in its second year.
With the $500,000 WA Guineas also to be run in perfect conditions at Ascot on Saturday, there’s no better raceday for Western Australians, or those from the eastern seaboard, to experience, or to bet on.
"There’s always a lot of live chances in The Railway. It’s always a fun race to have a bet on and also do novelty bets, because they always pay well when they win," he said.
"As a jockey it’s quite an experience, because we get to soak in the crowd and the atmosphere, but also for the public to be there witnessing it, it’s a pretty special event."
A $10 chance with TABtouch, many on course will be cheering Variation home. Two racegoers in particular however will be cheering just as loud for the gelding’s jockey.
I’ve got twin daughters, they’re eight-years-old and they’ll definitely be coming out. It’s not too often you get a chance like this in a big race and they definitely won’t be missing it,’’ he said.
It’s still a race the Parnham’s haven’t won yet. (Brothers and fellow jockeys) Steven and Chris haven’t won it and Dad (trainer Neville) ran second with Tarzi, but that’s as good as any of us have gone.’’
All that may change at around 5.05pm Perth time on Saturday and Parnham is encouraging as many people to be there to witness it as possible.
For thinking about how many of his rival jockeys have won a Railway Stakes, he’s reminded of that all too familiar feeling - that Fear of Missing Out.
"It‘s something that I want to be part of; I want to make history and be part of the Group 1 Railway win here in Perth, come Saturday afternoon, I’m going to give it everything," he said.
"Fingers crossed I get the win."