The son of Full Mast, winner of the 2024 Polla de Potrillos (G1) at Palermo, will take on 10 rivals in the mile on dirt at King Abdulaziz Racecourse
By Diego H. Mitagstein (Special Correspondent for Turf Diario in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Before El Kodigo (Equal Stripes) and Intense for Me (Fortify) take to the track for the Saudi Cup (G1) at King Abdulaziz Racecourse, another Argentine and South American contender will be chasing glory in Riyadh.
Giustino, the chestnut colt who claimed victory in the 2024 Gran Premio Polla de Potrillos (G1) at Palermo, is set to compete against 10 rivals in the Saudi Derby (G3, 1600m, dirt)—a race boasting a $1.5 million purse. He will carry the iconic silks of Haras La Providencia, the renowned Buenos Aires-based breeding and racing operation owned by the Depieri family, synonymous with high-level success.
Now based in Dubai, under the care of Julio Olascoaga and Antonio Cintra at Meydan, Giustino will have the services of Mickael Barzalona, one of Europe’s premier jockeys. Last time out, he contested the UAE 2000 Guineas (G3), where he finished well behind the same Golden Vekoma (Vekoma), who now stands as the top contender in today’s race. However, there were valid reasons to believe that Giustino’s performance will improve.
Leading up to the UAE 2000 Guineas, Giustino was not at his best and struggled with the kickback from the dirt surface, which significantly hampered his effort. Despite that, he closed well in the final stages, a promising sign heading into this high-stakes challenge.
A Formidable Field Awaits
The task will be far from easy, with Golden Vekoma standing out as a serious contender after his dominant UAE 2000 Guineas victory. Skipping the Al Bastakiya (L) to focus on this target only strengthens his credentials.
Another leading name is the American raider Cyclone State (McKinzie), a morning-line favorite who enters on a three-race winning streak, including a decisive score in the Jerome Stakes (L) earlier this year.
As always, Japan presents a strong challenge, represented by high-caliber contenders such as Shin Forever (Complexity) and the fillies Mistress (Kizuna) and Myriad Love (New Year’s Day), all aiming to make history.
Meanwhile, Saudi-based runners often prove formidable on their home soil, with Mhally (Sergei Prokofiev) arriving off a victory in the Saudi 2000 Guineas.
And then there’s Apples and Bananas (Wootton Bassett), trained by Joseph O’Brien, already a stakes winner in France and Ireland, having captured the Criterium du Fonds (L) and Goffs Million, respectively, before rounding out his 2024 campaign with a strong third-place finish in the Criterium International (G1) at Saint-Cloud.
As Giustino steps onto the big stage, the Argentine and South American racing community will be watching closely, hoping for a performance that cements his name among the international elite.
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