Mornington trainer Shane Nichols is keeping his options open with three-year-old Stitch Me Up but is convinced the gelding has the raw talent to consider carnival races this season.

Stitch Me Up is still learning his trade but managed to win Wednesday's Nine West Plate (1300m) at Sandown at his second start, surviving a protest from Brad Rawiller who rode debutant Karigara who finished one length behind the winner in second.

"I think he's got enough natural ability that there's a really nice race in him at some stage," Nichols said.

"There might be a race on a big track for him during the (spring) carnival over a mile or something like that. But then the autumn is probably his go."

Nichols has nominated Stitch Me Up for the Caulfield Guineas and Caulfield Classic but believes other late-spring three-year-old races are likely to be more suitable.

"He might be better in a Carbine Club Stakes and a Sandown Guineas or something like that," Nichols said.

After working into the race around the field from last, Stitch Me Up chimed in early in the straight but shifted in passing the 300m.

While stewards said the shift did impede Rawiller's running, his protest was dismissed with the margin too great.

"For him to win like that today and do a lot wrong gives us a bit of encouragement for the future," Nichols said.