A dash over 955 metres against her own sex is just about the softest option Robert Smerdon could come up with for the return of promising filly Shamal Wind.

But her appearance at the top of the weights and the head of the betting in the 13th heat of the 55 Second Challenge at Moonee Valley on Friday night comes with a warning.

"She's vulnerable," Smerdon said.

"We're very happy with what she's done but you can't be sure about raceday pressures.

"She's not as wound up as when she first raced and she's got a lot of improvement to come."

Shamal Wind created a big impression at her only two starts to date, scoring by a big margin at Ballarat first time out and following up with a two length win over 1200m in Listed company at Flemington during the Melbourne Cup carnival.

By giving Shamal Wind topweight of 58kg against older mares, the handicapper has shown he's as conscious as Smerdon is of Shamal Wind's edge in class.

As much as he's gone for a soft option to reintroduce Shamal Wind to racing, Smerdon is looking to Friday night's race to provide some hard evidence to support his hopes for the future.

"Friday night is probably going to tell us where we are and where we should go," Smerdon said.

The favoured option is the Group One Oakleigh Plate on her home track at Caulfield in two weeks.

If Shamal Wind needs more time, or if her performance at Moonee Valley suggest she isn't up to an open company, Group One test, Smerdon will consider an easier assignment at Flemington a week later.

Smerdon is also looking to another of his three-year-old fillies to provide him with a guide to the future on Saturday at Caulfield.

Members Joy, a filly who has the honour of being owned by every member of the Melbourne Racing Club, showed good form in the spring when she won in Listed company and finished a close second in the Group Two Edward Manifold Stakes, beating home the high-class Commanding Jewel.

She resumed with a solid fourth at Caulfield two weeks ago and is on track to run in the Angus Armanasco Stakes at Caulfield on February 23 and the Kewney Stakes at Flemington on March 29, both Group Two races over 1400m.