The argentine colt will face older horses for the first time, over 1400 meters in his turf debut
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (Special for Turf Diario) – The Argentine Giustino has been confirmed to race this Friday in the Ras Al Khor (G3), the highlight of the latest session of the Meydan International Carnival. This will be his first time facing older horses and his debut on the turf.
In an effort to secure a spot in the Dubai World Cup (G1) meeting, the connections of Stud La Providencia, Julio Olascoaga, and Antonio Cintra decided to drop the distance to 1400 meters and switch surfaces, aiming for a strong result to earn rating points that will help the Full Mast colt reach his goal without needing one of the special invitations awarded by the Dubai Racing Club.
After a first local test in the UAE 2000 Guineas (G3), and a sixth-place finish less than two weeks ago in the Saudi Derby (G3) in Saudi Arabia, the chestnut will face nine opponents, several of them highly qualified. He will carry 57kg, with no weight allowance, as he did when racing against Northern Hemisphere 3-year-olds.
With veteran Patrick Dobbs confirmed as his rider and drawn from gate 3, Giustino currently holds 95 points and needs at least 100 to qualify for the series in early April, so a strong performance is essential.
The Ras Al Khor features two leading contenders: Marbaan (Oasis Dream) and Mysterious Night (Dark Angel), who finished 1-2, separated by just over a length, in the Al Fahidi Fort (G2), under the same conditions they will face now. Mysterious Night may have the edge in this rematch, backed by his greater consistency. Notably, Godolphin's charge won the Al Fahidi Fort in 2024, and at two years old, he captured the Summer Stakes (G1) at Woodbine, Canada, and the Prix François Boutin (G3) in France.
The Meydan card will also feature more South American horses, with Brazilian Nam Phrik (Hofburg) – also trained by Olascoaga and Cintra, and racing for Stud Las Monjitas – participating in the Azizi Creek Views (1900m, dirt), a condition race for 3-year-olds, with Jim Crowley aboard. Additionally, the Chilean First Constitution (Constitution) will race in the Azizi Venice (1600m, dirt).
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