Tom's Darwin Cup Double?

TOM Tzouvelis' bid for consecutive Group 3 Darwin Cup triumphs remains on track after claiming two of the four heats on Sunday night with talented duo Soft Sand and Del Rey.

Winner of the 2017 Darwin Cup with now retired galloper Off And On, Tzouvelis' assault on this year's Group 3 finale will be led by his top chaser Del Rey, eyeing a second group race victory after annexing the Group 2 Launceston Cup back in February.

Winner of 15 races, Del Rey, a daughter of Milldean Panther, claimed her heat at the weekend in 31.91, while Magic Sprite chaser Soft Sand took out her qualifier for Tzouvelis in 31.95.

Neither fared all that well at Tuesday night's box draw, with Del Rey set to exit box six while Soft Sandown will negotiate box seven, the same draw she had for her impressive heat success.

Another trainer chasing further Darwin Cup glory is Bunyip conditioner Stephen Whyte, who lines up fastest qualifier Weeona Jimmy following the son of Mogambo's stirring 31.70 heat win.

Winner of the 2015 Darwin Cup Final with Superfonic, qualifying three finalists that year, Whyte will line-up Weeona Jimmy from box four in Sunday night's $25,000 to-the-winner decider where he has undeniable claims.

Few gallopers in training are more deserving of a group race victory than the Steve Kavanagh-trained Joyce Rumble and the daughter of Cosmic Rumble heads into Sunday night's final with huge claims on the back of her 31.76 heat win.

A regular on the group racing circuit, Joyce Rumble has won 17 of her 39 starts and with the benefit of Sunday's debut Darwin hit-out, is a major player leading into Sunday's finale from box eight.

Trainer Tim Mullany takes a three-pronged attack into Sunday's final, qualifying Stanga Bolt, Confinement and Pride Of Charlie – each gallant runner-ups in their respective heats at the weekend.

Crocodile Crush for Steele Bolton has drawn box one for the Darwin Cup decider, the same draw he had when finishing a 1 ½ length second to Joyce Rumble in the heats.

The scene is set for a cracking finale to this year's Darwin Cup on what promises to be an action packed night of racing this Sunday out of the Northern Territory.

2018 Group 3 Darwin Cup
1. Crocodile Crush (Steele Bolton)
2. Stanga Bolt (Tim Mullany)
3. Confinement (Tim Mullany)
4. Weeona Jimmy (Stephen Whyte)
5. Pride Of Charlie (Tim Mullany)
6. Del Rey (Tom Tzouvelis)
7. Soft Sand (tom Tzouvelis)
8. Joyce Rumble (Stephen Kavanagh)
9. Allen Ichiro (Russell Savige)
10. Rockoon (Tracie Price)