Every season for the past three years trainer Gary Nickson has entered spring with a quality three-year-old.

Rather Sweet is this year's carnival contender and will line up in the Group Two Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.

"It's funny, over the last four or five years I've been real lucky with two-year-olds," Nickson said.

Last year Nickson had Voilier, who was placed in the Silver Slipper at two and runner-up in the Up And Coming Stakes 12 months ago.

Alpha Miss gave him a runner in the 2014 Golden Slipper before finishing second in the Group Two Furious Stakes as a three-year-old.

It has not taken extravagant spending to get talented horses to his stable.

Voilier was the most expensive of the three, a $32,500 yearling, while Rather Sweet cost $9000 at a Dubbo horse sale.

Alpha Miss was $6000 and later sold to Aquanita Racing for $350,000.

"Every year I've struck one or two that go all right," Nickson said.

Nickson says he is throwing Rather Sweet into the deep end by running her in the Silver Shadow.

"She's drawn barrier one, but I wish it was wet," he said.

"We've got a pretty good opinion of her."

Rather Sweet is a $26 chance to win after an eight-day back up from her maiden win at Gosford on August 11.

The Chris Waller-trained Omei Sword is the $2.90 favourite while Manaya is second pick at $3.60.