The recent form tells an interesting story. A second-place finish sits in there among some mid-pack results, which suggests Pliny is not simply making up the numbers — it can get into a race and threaten. But wins have not come, and with six races in a row now without one, patience is being tested. The horse raced just yesterday, so it is very much in the thick of an active campaign.
Colin Keane, one of Ireland's most accomplished jockeys, has been in the saddle for five of those 11 races and is yet to ride Pliny to a win. That is not necessarily a damning stat — horses go through lean spells regardless of who is riding — but it does underline that finding the winner's enclosure has been the consistent challenge. Trainer Noel Meade, based at Castletown in County Meath, is no stranger to winners — his yard has sent out 42 of them already this season, which shows a yard in good health. The fact that Pliny has not added to that tally yet is perhaps the most telling detail of all: this is a horse operating in a stable that clearly knows how to win races, and it simply has not happened for this one yet.
Whether Pliny eventually breaks through or continues to be one of those horses that gives you hope and then breaks your heart is the question worth following. Three places from 11 races says there is ability here. Eleven races without a win says something is still missing.
| Course | Races | Results | Last run | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dundalk Galloping |
3 | 1 second, 2 other | 20 Mar | 0% |
| Navan Galloping |
2 | 2 other | 30 Mar | 0% |
| Sligo Sharp |
2 | 1 third, 1 other | 3 May | 0% |
| Gowran Park Undulating |
1 | 1 other | 1 Jun | 0% |
| Cork Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 24 Apr | 0% |
| Leopardstown Galloping |
1 | 1 third | 21 Aug | 0% |
| Down Royal Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 5 Sep | 0% |