Desperate for the Cup

CAULFIELD'S race may have been run, but already attention is turning to the exclusive marquees at Flemington racecourse. Derby Day is probably even bigger than Emirates Melbourne Cup Day, especially with so many Sydney celebs flying down. The biggest name for Derby Day is Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria. She will spend her few days in Melbourne in the Myer marquee, and will also judge Fashions on the Field. The other international guest in the Myer marquee will be Queer Eye for the Straight Guy's Carson Kressley, who loved it so much last year he had to come back for more. Hollywood actor Chloe Sevigny will be a guest of Motorola. Promoter Andrew McManus is a new addition to the Birdcage, with one of the biggest female singers in the world, Kelly Clarkson, a possible guest. He has also invited former Fleetwood Mac singer Stevie Nicks.

Cup sponsor Emirates always has one of the hottest marquees. This year's theme is Moroccan. A courtyard will be installed and Channel 7 will have a broadcast booth in the marquee. Ronn Moss, from The Bold and the Beautiful, and Reiko Aylesworth, from 24, have been confirmed as guests for the marquee.

Other invitees include James Packer and girlfriend Erica Baxter, Sigrid Thornton, Tom Williams, Simone Warne, Natalie Bassingthwaite, Holly Brisley, Jane Turner, Tara Moss, Gai Waterhouse, Jules Lund, Andrew Demetriou, Jeff and Felicity Kennett, Eddie McGuire and Lord Mayor John So. L'Oreal is living up to its reputation as having a funky marquee. Confirmed guests include model Kristy Hinze, Alicia Molik, Todd Woodbridge, Matthew Lloyd, Gary Ablett Jr, Paul McNamee, Ryan Phelan, Jamie Durie, James Mathison and Mark Holden. Moet and Chandon's marquee is usually the most exclusive one at Flemington. The very-hard-to-get invitations went out last week. A guest list is still being finalised but the likes of Eileen Bond, David Campbell and X Factor judge Mark Patrick have accepted. Other marquees to watch will include David Abela's and 3 Degrees Marketing's, which is inspired by New York's famous 21 Club. Delta Goodrem is rumoured to be a possibility in Abela's guest list.