SYDNEY -- In the Australian vernacular, having a punt on the ponies is usually a mug's game. Translation: Betting on horse races is usually a foolish practice. But owning a racehorse? That's a different story. Every year, thousands of Australians happily hand over a few thousand dollars to a syndicate manager in the hope of becoming part-owner of the next Winx, the current superstar of the Australian turf.



