Giustino was entered for the Ras Al Khor at Meydan

After his sixth-place finish in the Saudi Derby (G3), the winner of the Polla de Potrillos (G1) at Palermo in 2024 will aim for the Dubai World Cup (G1) festival; additionally, he has been entered in a conditional race

Giustino galloping at King Abdulaziz Racecourse, in Riyadh / JCSA

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (Special for Turf Diario) – The Dubai World Cup (G1) meeting is getting closer at Meydan, and trainers are working hard to bring their horses to the day when everyone wants to be a contender, seeking one of the few spots still available in the upcoming major races.

Julio Olascoaga and Antonio Cintra are hopeful of having the Argentine Giustino (Full Mast) compete against the best on Saturday, April 5, with the Godolphin Mile (G2) as the most attainable target. However, the UAE Derby (G2) and the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) could also be in the mix.

To this end, the chestnut has been entered to run next Friday in the Ras Al Khor (G3), a 1400-meter race for 3-year-olds and older, marking his first performance on turf. Notably, the chestnut will not face a weight disadvantage, as he has been accustomed to facing colts.

This would be his third start in the Middle East, following his debut in the UAE 2000 Guineas (G3) and a sixth-place finish in the Saudi Derby (G3) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he underperformed compared to expectations.

In total, 11 horses are likely to compete in the Ras Al Khor, with the following also entered: Marbaan (Oasis Dream), Al Salt (Mukhadram), Andreas Vesalius (Caravaggio), Dolayli (Siyouni), Echo Point (Dubawi), Khanjar (Kodiac), Kubrick (Dubawi), Mysterious Night (Dark Angel), Saleymm (Dubawi), and Silent Defense (National Defense).

Giustino has also been entered in a handicap race, with a rating range of 80-100 points over a 1-mile turf course, where a total of 25 horses have been nominated. Among them is the Uruguayan Rock Walk (T.H. Approval), who has underperformed this Carnival and was recently scratched from the starting gate.

Along with Giustino, trained by Olascoaga and Cintra, Rock Walk is also listed for a conditional race over the mile on dirt, alongside First Constitution (Constitution) from Chile and Military Law (Dubawi), a G1 winner, among others.

Meanwhile, the Argentine Atif (Bodemeister) and the Brazilian Nam Phrik (Hofburg) have also been nominated to compete this Friday at Meydan, with final confirmations expected in the coming hours.