Racing identities slam fly-in cup celebs

Racing identities have criticised the trend to fly in overseas celebrities to help sell the Melbourne Cup.

Francesca Cumani, daughter of British trainer Luca Cumani, said the annual carnival is already an international event and does not need celebrity endorsements.

Writing as a guest columnist for the Herald Sun, Ms Cumani said she is surprised there is a feeling the race needs to be "authenticated by foreigners".

"A personal bugbear is the fascination with getting mainly celebrities with no connection to racing to appear for half an hour, under-dressed and uninterested," Cumani said.

"It shows an insecurity in a race, an event, a carnival which is like no other."

Nine Network weather presenter Emma Freedman and daughter of five-time Melbourne Cup winner Lee Freedman agrees.

"I cringe a little bit when these celebrities are interviewed and they don't even know the name of the race or the favourite to win it," Freedman said.

"I find that baffling. I would have less of a problem with it if they actually had a connection with racing."

In the previous years, corporate sponsors have brought in big-name stars such as Paris Hilton, Eva Longoria, Kelly Osborne and Snoop Dogg.

Reality TV star Kim Kardashian and Sex and the City actress Sarah Jessica Parker is expected to make appearances at this year's Cup next Tuesday.