Catch Whiteline Fever at the Vaal

Bone-hard ground at the end of a Highveld winter is a boon to the golfer of a certain age who can't swing a club as mightily as before. The ball's bounce and roll give extra metres on the fairway, momentarily lifting spirits before the old sod duffs his subsequent wedge shot.

Winter's lash is not so good for rugger players, who nurse "roasties" from rigid fields and dormant kikuyu with the abrasive quality of a mother-in-law's wrath.

It's also not good for racehorses, who get jarred up galloping on unforgiving ground that hasn't seen rain for many a month. Trainers are loath to risk injury to their best prospects, so there aren't many big turf races at this time of year.

But racing continues and tough horses handle the conditions - often those raised in the Karoo, once the premier breeding ground of thoroughbreds in South Africa thanks to its soil having a perfect mix of protein, calcium and phosphorous for strong bone and constitution.

In recent years, the introduction of sand and Polytrack racing has softened things up for training yards - providing more yielding surfaces that are kinder on legs. Indeed, the August-September Vaal sand season has become a significant success story in racing.

The sand season reaches its zenith tomorrow with the running of the Emerald Cup, the stakes of which have risen steadily over just a few years to R1-million.

The raceday itself, on the course that nestles pleasantly among trees on the banks of the Vaal River, has grown in popularity, with a family-fun atmosphere and added entertainment.

This year's music lineup includes Lonehill Estate, Lloyd Cele, Matthew Mole, Daniel Baron and DJ Vin Deysel - all of whom are accomplished, I'm told.

Some among the 10000 throng will be there for the racing and will be trying to predict the winner of "Africa's Richest Race on Sand".

The betting board favourite is seven-year-old Jet Jamboree, who has been in top form on this track in recent times and obviously has an outstanding chance from pole position with the excellent Gavin Lerena aboard.

Ranged against the gelding is a talented field, with Across The Ice, Uncle Tommy, Tommy Gun, Shadow Line, In A Rush and Taptap Makhatini all having proven ability on sand.

Possibly the best value for a place bet is Storm Surf (18/1 a win), whose trainer, Kum Naidoo, has a propensity for producing surprises at this venue.

A couple of the runners have never raced on dirt before and are therefore wild cards in the reckoning. Rio Carnival is one, from the Durban yard of Charles Laird, another bloke who's had debut winners here.

Principal among the mystery packages is Whiteline Fever, a recent Durban July runner who'd snort at this lot if the contest was on good turf going.

With Striker Strydom on his back, I'd say he still has a sniff of a chance.

SELECTION: Emerald Cup (Vaal Race 7): 4 Whiteline Fever, 1 Jet Jamboree, 8 Storm Surf, 6 Tommy Gun