She's up for the cup!
IPSWICH'S biggest annual party is ready to roll.
Mammoth preparations for Ipswich Cup Day have been timed to make everything perfect for the expected crowd of more than 22,000.
There's even a hint of Hollywood glamour this year with rumours Colin Firth will make an appearance during a break in filming scenes for a new movie at the North Ipswich railway workshops.
Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale has asked the heart-throb to be his guest at the Cup and he may even be asked to present the trophy.
Colin or no Colin, a huge Gen Y crowd will pack the massive public Breezer infield marquee and party all day.
A band will be playing on the infield during the day and will continue the entertainment after the last race.
Racing fans are also in for plenty of action on the track with eight races highlighted by the Channel Seven Ipswich Cup and the City of Ipswich Eye Liner Stakes.
Ashlee Evans could well be the embodiment of the Generation Y crowd Ipswich Turf Club has aimed its Cup Day marketing towards.
Today will be the 22-year-old Ipswich accountant's fifth Ipswich Cup and she can hardly wait for it.
Young and fun and with a love of fashion, Ashlee is just the type of person Ipswich Turf Club has been trying to get to the Cup.
Not that she's alone. Ashlee will be one of thousands of lively young people in the public Breezer marquee on the track infield.
"I pretty much live and breathe for the Ipswich Cup," said Ashlee, who grew up around horses.
"It's pretty much a blast from the past; you catch up with the people you haven't seen for a year because everyone is so busy these days. And you see all the young-uns coming through and you think: 'Am I that old?'"
Ashlee's brother Jay will be one of the new breed of 18-year-olds experiencing Ipswich Cup Day for the first time today.
Ipswich Turf Club general manager Brett Kitching said ticket sales powered right up to yesterday with "an absolute crush to get tickets".
"Logistically everything is in place - the marquees, the big screens, the sound, the Adelaide tote operators are flying in, we've given the tote a trial run, all the bookies' stands are in place, the police and security have done their walk-arounds, the stage for the band, the generators, the bars, the relocatable kitchens are all out there, everything's in place and ready to go.
"Now it's ready for show time. It's the day where Ipswich is showcased across Australia."
Kitching likes Shenzhou Steeds in the Cup but suggests omen bets for beer lovers on Amber Ale (race three) and Easy Lager (race four).
A day full of fun
10am: Gates open, marquee areas open, shuttle bus starts from Bundamba train station.
10.30am: Fashions on the Field registrations start.
11.15am: Ipswich Thistle Pipe Band welcomes patrons.
12.10pm: First race.
12.15: Wasabi starts playing on the infield.
1.55pm: Queensland Times Provincial Cup starts.
2.05pm: Fashions on the Field finals.
3.10pm: Channel 7 Ipswich Cup.
4pm: Shuttle bus starts back to Bundamba train station.
5pm: After-party starts with Savvy.
