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Strathalbyn horseman Dion Koch is going in with an open mind at Morphettville on Saturday with exciting sprinter Philonize.

Koch said despite her brilliant return, he was still to determine just where her optimum distance range was.

"A lot of people thing she's a pure speed 950m/1000m horse, but I'm not really sure,'' Koch said.

"I really think her strength is being able to run a solid tempo at 1100m or 1200m. She has the ability to do that and horses giving her a start at the 600m just can't catch her.

"We'll find out a bit more tomorrow,'' he said.

Philonize broke the clock first-up from a spell when she left rivals standing and Koch said things hadn't gone exactly to plan since.

"She had a little bit of a setback,'' Koch said.

"She had a little bug, it was only minor, but things haven't worked out like I had planned.

"We were going to go to Caulfield last Saturday and then two weeks in the Christmas Handicap third-up, but in hindsight I'm glad we didn't go to Melbourne given the way that race (won by Jigsaw) panned out,'' he said.

Koch said despite meeting only five rivals, tomorrow posed a lot of questions given the speed in the race and addition of talented Victorian galloper Midwest.

"It won't be a soft race by a long way,'' Koch said.

"First-up she was handed the race really, but the Victorian (Midwest) has plenty of speed and we know Spanish Heirloom is a good mare and she does go quick as well.

"Both those horses missed away slightly last start so again that could make it interesting but I'm looking forward to see how it plays out,'' he said.