Defending champion Hawks Bay heads the weights for the $185,000 Darwin Cup (2000m) on August 6 with a crushing 64kg adding to the challenge he faces to become the fourth dual winner in 50 years.

In-form galloper The Ruffian can bring up a hat-trick of wins in Darwin today by adding the Carlton Mid Darwin Cup (race 9) at Fannie Bay.

It was third time lucky for honest galloper Hawks Bay in taking out today's Darwin Cup at Fannie Bay.

Steven Arnold gave a masterclass in the saddle as Hawks Bay buried a Darwin Cup hoodoo on Monday.

Barriers for the $175,000 Darwin Cup have been decided with race favourite The Ruffian drawing 5 as the three-year-old attempts to claim the NT Triple Crown.