Patinack Farm ended its frustrating run in Group 1 races when quality performer Gathering won the Railway Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.  Patinack gallopers had been runner-up in five Group 1 events during the spring carnival.

Gathering (4g Tale of the Cat-Celebria by Peintre Celebre) cruised home to score by over two lengths after being handled to perfection by Craig Williams.  “He got a cheap sectional running into the corner and was able to pinch a break,” trainer John Thompson said.  “He peaked in Melbourne and we’ve got him up again in Perth.  Fantastic!”

Gathering has raced against some of the country’s top racehorses having competed at the highest level in Sydney and Melbourne prior to crossing the Nullarbor.  He was placed in the G1 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes as a two year-old and the AJC Spring Champion Stakes, Gloaming Stakes and Norman Robinson Stakes at three.

During the spring carnival he notched a breakthrough success in the Listed Paris Lane Stakes at Flemington.  “He’s been racing at the top level for all of his career,” Thompson said.  “He really deserves this one – he’s such an honest horse,”

Williams said Gathering’s performance was first class.  “He relaxed in front and then accelerated when I asked for the supreme effort.”

A graduate of the 2008 Gold Coast Magic Millions yearling sale, Gathering has now earned the Patinack Farm operation over $986,000.  He is by Coolmore shuttler Tale of the Cat from a winning half sister to G3 SAJC Breeders’ Stakes winner Murjana.  It’s the family of renowned sire Redoute’s Choice.

Patinack principal Nathan Tinkler took a shine to Tale Of The Cat at the 2008 majors and he’s hit pay dirt with Gathering and stablemate Trusting who finished sixth in the Railway.

Trusting was Patinack Farm’s first Tale Of The Cat to take centre stage when he won the G2 Warwick Stakes in August 2009.  A week later Gathering won a midweek maiden at Randwick.

Gathering is the third Australian bred Group 1 winner for Tale of the Cat following Glamour Puss and Tell a Tale.