Dubbo trainer Frank Hayes was pretty straightforward when asked about the step up in class his gelding In Ernest is taking next Monday at Wellington.

The five-year-old won last start at Dubbo on Sunday but faces a much bigger challenge when he lines up in Monday's Mountains and Rivers Flying (1100m).

A benchmark 58 rated horse, In Ernest will be going up against the likes of class gallopers Jest Crewsin', Fort Sumter and Not A Hint after the fields for the meeting came out on Thursday.

Hayes is well aware he is one of the underdogs for the event but said a bit of water on the track would help his chances as he targeted a top-three finish from barrier seven.

"He's never been in this company, this is the best he's been up against since taking on The Championships," he said.

"But he's a bit stronger and I'm very happy with him, he's a pleasure to train and is a little beauty."

Hayes said he could not praise jockey James Innes jnr enough after his performance in the saddle last weekend and the apprentice will be onboard again on Monday.

The win at Dubbo on Sunday during the transferred Coonamble meeting was In Ernest's first win of his career.

"He's had some bad luck stories," Hayes said.

"At Parkes about three or four starts ago it took someone to break an 11-year-old track record to beat him and then he went to Muswellbrook and raced on a heavy 10 which helped a bit but he was unlucky and finished fourth."

The Mountains and Rivers Flying (1100m) will be one of the feature races of the seven-race meeting.

Local punters will be glad to see no rain forecast for Monday at this stage after the weather caused havoc for a number of other meetings around the area recently.

In Ernest's event will be the second last of the day and will be followed by the Rick Worthington trained Nick's Best looking to bounce back from a disappointing last start.

The three-year-old gelding finished last at Canberra earlier this month but looked better in a recent trial at Warwick Farm, finishing second.

Greg Ryan will be onboard when he jumps from barrier two in the Jarred Wykes Electrical Class 2 Handicap (1100m).

Full fields on page 18