Why is horse racing so popular in Australia?

In Japan, horse racing tends to be seen as gambling played predominantly by men and is something separated from the broader community. So why is horse racing so popular in Australia?

Source: The Everest, SBS

The Everest at the Royal Randwick Racecourse Source: SBS

In Sydney, Royal Randwick hosted the world's richest race on turf "The Everest" on the 14th of October.

Mariko Hyland, a Sydneysider who writes horse racing articles for Japanese media, was at the racecourse to cover the race.  Mariko tells us what horse racing means to the Australian society and how it has been bringing the community together.

And Masahiro Itaya, a representative in Japan for a Sydney-based Japanese community paper Nichigo Press and also a sports photographer, explains the cultural and historical background of the Emirates Melbourne Cup and its deep connection to the culture in Melbourne.