Dubai & South Africa: Real World set to star at Meydan Jan. 28

#1 Real World looks set to maintain his unbeaten record on turf against 12 useful opponents in the Zabeel Mile (G2) at Meydan Jan. 28.

The Godolphin five-year-old has been transformed since switching to grass. After winning his debut on Polytrack at Chelmsford, the son of Dark Angel went to Dubai last winter and though he didn’t finish worse than fourth, he couldn’t win in four Meydan dirt starts.

As a result, he was an unwanted 18-1 chance in the one-mile Royal Hunt Cup handicap on his turf debut at Royal Ascot, but he routed his 29 opponents by nearly five lengths. From there he would go on and win the Listed Steventon Stakes, the Strensall Stakes (G3) (beating Lord Glitters), and the Prix Daniel Wildenstein (G2) at Longchamp over The Revenant.

Under the conditions of the race he gives away 2 kilograms (about 4.4 pounds) to all his opponents, but he should be tough if ready.

The toughest opponent for Real World looks to be #11 Path of Thunder, who easily beat six of his opponents on Friday in the Zabeel Trophy. He was either at level weights, or else giving away weight to all of them, and it’s hard to see any of them toppling him at level weights here.

If Jet Dark’s stamina comes into question, the most obvious contender is #5 Kommetdieding. He was left flat-footed by Jet Dark when finishing second in the Queen’s Plate but is proven over the distance, having won the Durban July (G1) over 1 3/8 miles last year.

The other one to watch is the three-year-old #11 Double Superlative, who like Jet Dark is from the Justin Snaith stable. He was strong in the finish of the first leg of the South African Triple Crown, the Cape Guineas (G1) and will receive 5.5kg (about 12 pounds) from Jet Dark and Kommetdieding. Last year's Daily News 2000 (G1) winner #6 Linebacker is also worth using in multiples.

The most interesting of the other runners is probably #6 King David, the Danish-bred who has come to the Middle East with others from the Scandinavian stable of Niels Petersen. He is a Group 3 winner and could compete for some of the money.

With many of the field looking a class below Real World, the best plays may be trifectas that focus on him, with Path of Thunder as the best option if the topweight is a run short of his best.

BEST PLAY

Meydan, Jan. 28, Race 7:

• $10 win/$30 show: #1 Real World
• $1 trifecta: 1 with 6, 8, 11 with all
• $1 trifecta: 11 with 1 with al

BONUS PLAY – SOUTH AFRICA, JANUARY 29 2022

It’s a big day of racing in South Africa on Saturday with three Group 1 races at Kenilworth in Cape Town – the Cape Flying Championship over about five furlongs, the Majorca Stakes for fillies and mares over about a mile, and one of South Africa’s premier races, the Cape Town Met over 2000m (about 1 1/4 miles).

The big question is whether #4 Jet Dark, the highly impressive winner of the Queen’s Plate (1600m) Jan. 8, can stretch his stamina to 2000m. As a son of former Vosburgh Stakes (G1) winner Trippi, this question is understandable, but he has shown an ability to relax and the Kenilworth is regarded as having a relatively soft 2000m, which will help. He may be at better odds than his Queen’s Plate form suggests he should be.

BEST PLAY

Race 9, Kenilworth - Cape Town Met

• $10 win/$30 show: #4 Jet Dark.
• $10 box exacta: 4, 5, 6, 11.