Caramel Swirl awarded G2 Gallant Bloom in stewards’ room

Caramel Swirl was called the winner of the G2 Gallant Bloom Stakes by the stewards following a remarkable double disqualification in the Aqueduct sprint on Sunday, 1 October.

After breaking on terms, Caramel Swirl raced in a close last of the six runners for much of the extended six-furlong contest as Headland made the running.

Caramel Swirl quickened up the inner rail entering the straight and soon disputed second with Beguine and Sterling Silver, with the trio looking to reel in Headland a furlong a half from home.

Sterling Silver crossed both Beguine and Caramel Swirl as she went second entering the final furlong, before Headland shifted out to further impede the Godolphin runner.

Junior Alvarado had to snatch up Caramel Swirl but the Bill Mott-trained mare rallied close home to cross the line in third behind Sterling Silver and Headland.

Following a lengthy stewards’ enquiry, Sterling Silver was disqualified and placed second for interference, with Headland demoted to third for the same reason.

Bill Mott said: “Caramel Swirl had trained really well ahead of this. She trained well going into the Ballerina and ran a good race there, when three G1 winners finished in front of her. She’s a notch under that class but is a good filly.”