Giustino Posts a Promising Return in the Business Bay Challenge

Making his return to action and in his first start on turf, the La Providencia runner finished eighth after showing speed on the front end, beaten by less than two lengths by the high-class Mysterious Night

Ranging wide, Mysterious Night got the better of Khanjar late; just behind, Giustino was making ground / DRC

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (Special to Turf Diario).- Sometimes a quick glance at the result can be misleading and fail to reflect what truly happened. Making his return after nearly a year on the sidelines, Argentine runner Giustinofinished eighth in Friday’s Business Bay Challenge (L-1400m, turf) at Meydan, but his performance was far more encouraging than the placing suggests.

Making his first career start on grass, and doing so off a lengthy layoff against seasoned rivals, the La Providencia homebred trained by Julio Olascoaga and Antonio Cintra delivered a very creditable effort that left plenty to like.

Showing good early speed, the Full Mast colt went straight to the lead from the break and was never allowed to relax fully, with Khanjar (Kodiac) applying pressure almost from the outset.

Giustino continued to battle on bravely into the stretch, holding his position until the final 200 meters, when Khanjar managed to get past him. Once in front, however, that rival could not contain the late charge of Mysterious Night (Dark Angel), who swept by wide to give Godolphin, William Buick, and Charlie Appleby their first major success of the afternoon in what proved a banner day for the team.

Francisco Leandro rode Giustino right to the wire, and the Argentine lost four positions in the final strides by the narrowest of margins, finishing just 1.86 lengths off the winner—a precise margin by Meydan standards—after stopping the clock in 1:23.79.

“I really liked the way he ran,” said Olascoaga afterward. “I’m confident he’ll win soon. His rating didn’t go up, which helps him going forward, and it’s important to remember he faced horses with a lot of experience. These races are very competitive and not easy to win, but we’re very satisfied.”

Giustino captured the Gran Premio Polla de Potrillos (G1) in Argentina in 2024, a season in which he also added the Clásico Old Man (G3). Friday’s outing marked his third start in this part of the world, following earlier appearances in the UAE 2000 Guineas (G3) and the Saudi Derby (G3) earlier in the year.

The eighth-place finish may look modest on paper, but Giustino’s return was full of promise. Stripping fitter next time and with valuable turf experience now under his belt, he showed that there is still plenty more to come.