The Grand Annual Steeplechase has lost another of its star prospects weeks out from the 2025 race.
The John Leek-trained Tom Foolery, who ran third in last year’s Grand Annual, injured his near-side tendon in a highweight flat race at Kyneton last week.
The setback comes two weeks after a leg injury forced the retirement of Ciaron Maher’s top jumper Wil John.
Leek said Tom Foolery would have a long rest before making a return to jumps racing.
“It’s a terrible blow — I thought he was the one to beat,” Leek said.
“He’s a tough horse. He was so brave last year and I thought he was better this year.
“There’s nothing we can do now apart from giving him a long rest before setting things in place for a crack at the 2026 Grand Annual.”
Leek is no stranger to success in the great race, having saddled up Vinchiamo to win it in 1992.
Meanwhile Leek’s other top jumper Affluential is in doubt for the Galleywood Hurdle on the middle day of the Warrnambool carnival (April 30) after being pulled up in last Sunday’s quality hurdle at Pakenham.
Jockey Will Gordon told stewards Affluential was under pressure at the 1200-metre mark. A post-race veterinary examination revealed Affluential had cardiac arrhythmia, and a satisfactory vet report will be required before he can start again.
Wil gets a break
Boom Woolsthorpe-bred galloper Another Wil is heading to the spelling paddock after his unplaced run in the $4 million Group 1 Doncaster Mile at Randwick this month.
With Jamie Melham in the saddle, Another Wil ($8.50) finished sixth behind Stefi Magnetica in the classic 1600-metre handicap but trainer Ciaron Maher was satisfied with the lightly raced five-year-old’s run.
“It was always going to be tough after he drew barrier 15,” Maher said. “I thought he ran well.
“I’m confident he would have finished a lot closer if he’d drawn a better barrier but that’s racing. We’ll give him a good break and bring him back for the Melbourne spring.”
 Another Wil scored his first Group 1 win in the C.F. Orr Stakes on February 8 at Caulfield before an unlucky fourth in the $2.5 million All-Star Mile at Flemington in March.
Teo eyes hometown cup
Popular jockey Teo Nugent combined with master trainer Ciaron Maher to take last Sunday’s $70,000 Terang Cup (2150m) with $2 favourite Ziryab.
It was a first Terang Cup win for Nugent, a second for Maher.
Nugent, who was raised in Crossley west of Warrnambool before being apprenticed to Maher, said it was great to boot home a cup winner for his old boss.
“It’s great to repay Ciaron for everything he’s done for me,” Nugent said.
“He’d be a nice ride in the Warrnambool Cup but it’s up to Ciaron and his team.
“It’d be great to go back and win my hometown cup for the first time. It would also be special for Ciaron, as he hasn’t trained a Warrnambool Cup winner.”
Tuva to the paddock
Reigning Wangoom Handicap winner Tuvalu will be missing from the feature sprint at this year’s Warrnambool carnival.
Trainer Lindsey Smith says Tuvalu is recovering from an operation to remove bone chips from his off-side fetlock.
“We were thinking of getting him ready for another crack at the Wangoom but he pulled up sore following a track gallop,” Smith said.
“It’s a real shame. I thought he would have been competitive again.
“We’ll give him a good break and get him ready for a race like the Rupert Clarke Stakes in the spring.”
From his 24 starts Tuvalu has won nine races inlcuding the Group 1 Toorak Handicap of 2022 and earned $2,038,550.
Black-bookers
• Rolls: Huge run for Maddie Raymond and Patrick Bell in the listed City of Adelaide Stakes over 1529 metres on Saturday. The hometown hero won the 2023 Warrnambool Cup. He’s now rising nine but going by Saturday’s run he’s ready to win a nice race again.
• Tapered: The Matthew Williams-trained filly showed she’s ready to win a maiden with a pleasing performance at Terang last Sunday for fifth over 1850 metres. Bookies bet huge odds about her ($81-$51). We’ll have to take shorter odds next time but might get the cash. She’s by Mongolian Khan so a staying trip should help.