Racing: Gathering on express track

PERTH - The Patinack Farm-owned Gathering ran his rivals ragged to score an emphatic victory in the group one A$1 million Railway Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.

Perfectly ridden by Craig Williams, the Tale Of The Cat 4-year-old sped out of gate six and led all the way in the 1600m feature, comfortably downing Famous Roman and Megatic.

The win broke a frustrating run of group one second placings for Patinack's trainer John Thompson, whose only previous win at the elite level was with Small Minds in the 2010 Australasian Oaks at Morphettville.

Patinack have had five group one seconds this spring, with Trusting, unplaced in the Railway Stakes, providing two of them in the George Main Stakes and Epsom Handicap.

Thompson lauded Williams' ride.

"A fantastic ride, and the horse well deserves it. He's been racing at the top level all his career."

Williams was equally effusive in his praise of Gathering. "Today, Gathering was supreme."

Gathering beat Famous Roman by 2 lengths with Megatic a head away third.

- AAP