Mandy Cottell looks back at the support races on The Ingham program.

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.

2008 Darwin Cup winner Club Liquid will have his third tilt at the $175,000 feature event on Monday with trainer Dick Leech suggesting the rising eight-year-old may be retired following the race.

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.