Robert Smerdon is under no illusions as to the task facing Zafiki in the Sandown Guineas.

But the trainer has decided to throw the filly in the deep end at her second start in Saturday's Group Two race over 1600m before giving her a break and looking to the autumn.

Zafiki won a 1600m maiden at Cranbourne on debut last month and Smerdon is hoping the three-year-old will be an Oaks filly in the autumn.

"It may not prove to be a smart move, if there was an ideal alternative race I would have probably gone there," Smerdon said.

"I think she's a filly with a lot of upside and will get over a trip.

"In the autumn I'll be looking to get her out over ground and I wanted to get her to the races for the second time and then send her to the paddock.

"I spoke to connections and said we might just get a bit of a handle on where she fits in the scheme of things.

"We're throwing her in the deep end, but she'll be going to the paddock on Sunday."

Zafiki, to be ridden by Daniel Stackhouse, is an $18 chance in the Guineas.

While Smerdon believes Zafiki is a talented filly who will be even better next preparation over more ground, he admits it would be a bit of a surprise if she managed to win the Guineas at her second start.

"If she was capable of doing that you'd be over the moon thinking what she might do on the other side of a break," he said.

"I think if she could run in the top six that would be a big tick."