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Snitzel's Choice will be on trial for the Darwin Cup and a Triple Crown tilt when he looks to claim the $130,000 NT Derby at Fannie Bay this Saturday.

The Jason Manning-trained three-year-old was most convincing when making all to win the Darwin Guineas last start and will now face similar opposition this Saturday in the NT Derby (2000m).

Under the guidance of Vanessa Arnott, Snitzel's Choice held off more fancied rivals in Chieftain Jack and Patience to claim a career best victory.

“I always gave him a genuine chance,” Manning said.

“His form leading into the race and his mile form was spot on. He was two from two at the mile and going into those races you just need a bit of luck which he got.”

Connections have been pleased with the Snitzel gelding since the success and are now hopeful he can claim the second leg of the Darwin Triple Crown.

“He came through the Guineas win really well,” Manning said.

“His work has been great and everything is spot on.”

A similar field will likely contest the NT Derby where Snitzel's Choice will step up to 2000m for the first time.

“The step up to 2000m is the only query,” Manning said.

“Chieftain Jack and Patience each have form over the trip so that is probably the only question mark going into Saturday.

“Clients purchased him to bring him up to Darwin and he had really good mile form and some of his siblings have form over a trip but you never know.

“Chieftain Jack is probably going to be the hardest to beat.”

Immediate plans for Snitzel's Choice will greatly depend on his first effort over the 2000m journey with the $100,000 Darwin Triple Crown for three-year-olds a huge incentive for connections.

With the Darwin Guineas already to his name, Snitzel's Choice now needs to claim the NT Derby and Darwin Cup.

“The Darwin Cup will be something we discuss after the Guineas,” Manning said.

“If he happened to win there is a $100,000 Triple Crown bonus for three-year-olds.

“If he happened to win the Derby we would push on to the Cup and otherwise we would just assess it after Saturday's race.”

One runner from the Manning stable definitely on course for the Darwin Cup next month is Group winning galloper Syreon.

The eight-year-old has reportedly settled into his new surrounds well and last Saturday was solid during the $50,000 Chief Minister's Cup (1600m) where the gelding ran fifth behind Hawks Bay.

“I was rapt in his run on Saturday,” Manning said.

“To get beaten only 2.5 lengths behind Hawks Bay who is the Benchmark horse for the Darwin Cup was good knowing we're going to improve over a further trip.

“He'll have one more run in the Metric Mile and then nine days into the Darwin Cup.”

Syreon is currently raced by a large contingent of owners which include Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock and Richard Callander with another share in the horse belonging to the 'Darwin Cup Crew'.

“I think there will be about 50 owners coming up for the Cup weekend from the eastern states so it is going to be big,” Manning said.

Manning so far has been able to provide the ownership group with a number of positive reports on their Darwin Cup charge.

“He is progressing really well,” Manning said.

“His two runs have been good.

“From a Cup perspective Hawks Bay is obviously the standout horse. He carries weight and won the Cup last year with 63.5kg but we'll be trying our best to beat him.”

While hopeful of toppling Hawks Bay in the $180,000 feature on August 6, Manning has plenty of respect for the reigning champ.

“This is his fourth carnival and he has performed every time,” Manning said.

“He is a dream horse to have around this time of year. He just thrives once he comes here.

“He is one of those horse who just finds another five or 10 lengths once he arrives, he is a bit of a freak.”