Glam up for Cup

THE Metro Hotel Ipswich International might be two states away from Flemington Racecourse but that won't stop them dressing for the occasion.

Tina Tomassetti shows some stunning Melbourne Cup fashions at the Metro Hotel Ipswich International. Picture: Claudia Baxter

THE Metro Hotel Ipswich International might be two states away from Flemington Racecourse but that won't stop them dressing for the occasion.

As part of the Metro's annual Melbourne Cup celebrations, the hotel will be running a fashion parade with clothes from Ipswich store House of Amy.

The event, which is already sold out, will be raising money for the Ipswich Hospital Foundation.

Metro Hotel guest relations manager Fran Edney said the hotel's Melbourne Cup lunch was becoming a tradition for some locals.

"This is the third year we've held it and the second we've sold out, but this time we've sold out much earlier than before," she said.

"People just love it though.

"It always gets a really good rap."

While this year's event won't have the popular guinea pig races of last year, Ms Edney promised some other entertainment that was still under wraps.

"We'll have some great entertainment, not everything has been decided yet but there are some big plans."

Even though fashion parades have always been part of the Metro's Melbourne Cup festivities, this is the first year they've showed off the clothes of House of Amy.

"I went in there and just fell in love with everything," Ms Edney said.

House of Amy owner Amy Winks is an award-winning designer and studied in Paris on a scholarship from the Australian Student Awards.

The parade will be showing some of the store's latest fashions, including '60s-inspired skirts, tassels and the many hats and fascinators stocked.

The festivities will kick off at noon and run until 3pm on Tuesday November 1.

The Metro Hotel Ipswich International is far from the only venue hosting an event, with celebrations occurring throughout Ipswich.

The Ipswich RSL Services Club will be hosting a smorgasbord along with food and entertainment, while Brothers Leagues Club will be hosting a luncheon with prizes and entertainment as will the Ipswich Golf Club.

The Ipswich Turf Club will host a gourmet buffet with big screens to watch the race, while Jets Leagues Club will host a burlesque show along with a multi-course meal.

Glory of the Cup

• With a prize packet of $6 million, the Melbourne Cup is one of the richest horse races in the world.
• Last year Americain became the first French-trained horse to win the Cup in the race's 150th year.
• Despite an influx of foreign trained horses, Australian trained horses have won five of the past 10 Cups, with Makybe Diva winning three straight.

Originally published as Glam up for Cup