Shane Nichols is aware of the task facing So You Assume but as a Group 2 winner the only way is up.

For that reason, Nichols is prepared to take a shot at the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield on Saturday with the $26 outsider in TAB betting.

So You Assume is a last start winner of the Group 2 Stocks Stakes (1600m) at The Valley on September 24 which already makes her a valuable broodmare.

But to add to that value, she needs a Group 1 win, or placing, hence Nichols is prepared to give the daughter of So You Think her chance with 52kg on Saturday.

“With the penalties, she gets 59 kilos in the Ladies Day Vase at Caulfield next week and that makes it really hard as she’s not an overly big mare,” Nichols said.

“So, we’re better off trying to run a place in a Group 1 with 52 kilos.

“That could enhance her value and the Ladies Day Vase being a Group 3, so if she won that, it would do anything for her.”

Nichols has been a little surprised by the speed with which So You Assume has got to her first Group 1 contest having won five of her 12 starts.

“I always thought she was city grade and she has and being pretty dominant in some of her races,” Nichols said.

“She’s sound, she’s fit, has a really good demeanour and enjoys stable life.”

After Saturday, the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on October 30 will be So You Assume’s next assignment.

As the winner of the Stocks Stakes, there will be a $1 million bonus attached if she can emulate the Nichols-trained I Am A Star and win the race.

But first there is Saturday’s race and Nichols believes So You Assume can finish top five.

“I would say, she’ll cross, lead, travel, but there will be two things, how hard they make her work early and when they start to pressure her,” Nichols said.

“But I don’t know where her ceiling is.

“She was 42 days into the Stock Stakes and whilst I had her pretty right, she is probably going to improve a bit as well.”