Giustino Returns Friday at Meydan, Set for First Turf Test

The Argentine-bred runner will tackle the Listed Business Bay Challenge over 1400 meters at Meydan

Giustino Seeks a Fresh Start on His Return to Action / JCSA

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (Special to Turf Diario).- An Argentine runner with a South American-based team will be looking to make his presence felt on Friday’s Festive Friday program at Meydan, as Giustino returns to action in a competitive renewal of the Business Bay Challenge (L), contested over 1400 meters and shaping up as a timely opportunity for redemption.

A dual top-level winner in Argentina—having captured the G3 Clásico Old Man and the G1 Gran Premio Polla de Potrillos in 2023 at Palermo—the La Providencia colorbearer has not been seen since finishing a well-beaten sixth behind Golden Vekoma (Vekoma) in the G3 Saudi Derby at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in late February. Friday will also mark a new chapter, as the chestnut makes his first start on turf, a surface that, on pedigree, should pose no major concern.

Prepared by Julio Olascoaga and Antonio Cintra, and set to be ridden by Francisco Leandro, Giustino will be making his second appearance at Meydan. Back in January, he finished ninth—again behind Golden Vekoma—in the G3 UAE 2000 Guineas, run on dirt.

With a clean slate in the mornings, Giustino faces a field packed with proven international performers. Chief among them is Marbaan (Oasis Dream), trained by Michael Costa and to be partnered by Silvestre de Sousa. A winner of both the G2 Al Fahidi Fort and the G3 Ras Al Khor during last year’s Carnival, Marbaan recently returned from a layoff with a strong second, beaten a half-length by Dark Trooper (Dark Angel), in the HH The President Cup (L) at Jebel Ali.

Godolphin will field four runners, led by Mysterious Night (Dark Angel) and Al Qudra (No Nay Never). The former has finished runner-up in three straight starts—twice behind Marbaan at Meydan—while Al Qudra has not raced since an unplaced effort at Newbury in April, though his prior form suggests far more ability than that line might indicate. Anno Domini (New Bay) and Dubai Beach (Blue Point) complete the blue-clad quartet.

Also not to be overlooked is Make Me King (Dark Angel), third in the President Cup at Jebel Ali and a familiar rival of Marbaan, with solid European credentials earlier in his career. Veteran Vafortino (New Bay), a 7-year-old grandson of Invasor (Candy Stripes), returns to Meydan having won this very race in 2023 before finishing second to Mysterious Night in the Al Fahidi Fort.

The field is rounded out by Native Approach (Too Darn Hot), Roi de France (Sea The Stars), Andreas Vesalius(Caravaggio), Khanjar (Kodiac), Mountbatten (Dabirsim), and Ehraz (Showcasing), ensuring a deep and demanding assignment for Giustino as he looks to lift his head again on the international stage.