In fact it took the Cecil Hodgson-trained gelding seven starts before he finally won his maiden at Warren in November last year.

However, since then Prettylittlefellow has developed into more than a handy horse.

The son of Snippetson now faces the biggest moment in his career when he lines up in the $100,000 WDRA Country Championships Qualifier (1400m) at Dubbo Turf Club on Sunday.

Not only will he be lining up in the rich event, he will be doing so as one of the big favourites to advance to the $300,000 final at Randwick on April 11.

The official fields for Sunday's meeting were released yesterday and Prettylittlefellow, alongside the Bruce Parker-trained Yes Zariz, will carry the top weight of 57.5kg.

Prettylittlefellow, set to jump from barrier 4, earned a crack at Sunday's big money with a strong 1.3 length win in the Country Championship Preview (1300m) on his home track at Coonamble on March 10.

The lightly raced five-year-old gelding, a four-time winner from 12 starts, is raced by two bushies - Ken Waterford from Come By Chance and Bill Porter from Carinda, both long time school mates originally from Bathurst.

Prettylittlefellow cost $7000 as a yearling at the Dubbo sales. He was purchased by former trainer Colin Wrigley and is raced on lease by Waterford and Porter.

Hodgson, 56 and training for the best part of 35 years, rides Prettylittlefellow all his work.

"You can't just go over to the racecourse and get a track rider," Hodgson said. "I'm the only one that rides him."

Early in his career Prettylittlefellow had a penchant for bolting on the track with Hodgson in toe but the gelding has settled his manners as he's matured.

"Yeah, he took a lot of getting going," Hodgson admitted. "He's all right now.

"He used to leave all his work on the track. Half the time he'd bolt on you.

"This time around he's settled down a lot. He's a different horse now. He's learned a lot about racing and settled down a lot. I can work him like I want. You couldn't do that before.

"He's pulled up good from Coonamble. He still feels pretty good to me. He'll meet different horses next time and with a bit more weight too but we'll be there."

This will be Hodgson's first shot at a race worth $100,000 and the possibility of another windfall should Prettylittlefellow qualify (first and second) for the $300,000 Country Championship Final at Randwick on April 4.

"They don't have races worth that out in the bush," Hodgson laughed. "It's a good opportunity."

Hodgson revealed regular jockey Anthony Cavallo has already arranged stabling in Sydney for Prettylittlefellow.

"Choc (Cavallo) is pretty confident," Hodgson added. "Me, I'll wait to see what happens."

Hodgson has previously had a runner at Randwick - Riding Free in the 1990's - but it was as a breeder and owner.

"Ray Bradley had the horse. He won at Canterbury and Hawkesbury," Hodgson said proudly.

Hodgson will have two starters in Sunday's event with Also A Star set to jump from barrier 18.

Greg Ryan was revealed yesterday to be riding Yes Zariz from barrier 15 while, as expected, Mathew Cahill will be on board the in-form Found At Last from barrier 13.

All of Dubbo trainer Clint Lundholm's three nominations were accepted while Wayne Collison's talented Sanvel, fresh from a spell, drew barrier nine.