Carson Kressley -- the camp American TV star -- has nudged out locals such as Sonia Kruger, Jennifer Adams, the fiancee of Melbourne footballer Clint Bizzell, and fashion designer Alex Perry to score a big job at this year's Spring Racing Carnival.

The New Yorker, whose TV show Queer Eye For The Straight Guy has sold around the world, has secretly signed to host this year's Fashions on the Field. It's the first time an international guest has hosted the event, which has grown significantly in recent years.

The American Emmy Award winner fell in love with Flemington and its carnival after being invited by Myer three years ago. The keen equestrian returned under his own steam to party two years ago. The once-crusty Victoria Racing Club hired Kressley, who is credited with bringing gay culture to mainstream American audiences, to MC its dinner at the Beverly Wilshire in April. It's understood he agreed to that engagement on the understanding he would be flown out for the Fashions on the Field gig. ''He'll cause a stir for sure -- Carson's idea of appropriate racewear probably won't conform with what some of the old timers are used to,'' said one source.

While the VRC wouldn't comment, our source also tells us Kressley will host the Oaks Club Ladies lunch at Crown on the Wednesday of the Carnival. Kruger and Perry hosted Fashions on the Field last year and Adams in 2005. Also expect another big international name to perform at the VRC Chairman's dinner which featured Luciano Pavarotti, Diana Ross and Chris Isaak in the past two years.

The Sydney Morning Herald, 8/9/2007
He has graced our shores before, leaving a trail of fashion tips and style advice in his wake. Now the Queer Eye for the Straight Guy maestro Carson Kressley wants to mix it with Australia's own doyennes of hip, Kath and Kim. The Victoria Racing Club has invited Kressley to the Melbourne Cup in November. He has already thrown his queer eye to the fashions in the field at two of the past three Cups, but this time around he is seeking work of another kind. The celebrity spruiker Max Markson confirmed that Kressley was a huge fan of Kath & Kim, and was hoping to secure a cameo on the show when he hit town. Markson says he has had no joy with Channel Seven at this stage, but everyone in the Kressley camp is crossing fingers the lovely ladies may share the spotlight, however momentarily. Noice work if ya can get it, Carson.