After failing to justify his 3-5 favouritism in his last race over 1,000 metres straight, the speedster Runjohnny Run will now return to ride the bends in the $516,600 Howard Phillips Memorial Trophy at Caymanas Park today.

The four-year-old son of Traditional, who debuted with a win over the straight course as a two-year-old and went on to win over today’s distance as a three-year-old, is the only colt and three geldings entered in the 1,100 metres Howard Phillips event that has attracted a useful field of 12 Restricted Allowance IV native-bred four-year-olds and upward (NW3).

The well-matched race is the headline test on a programme of 10 races worth $5,213,300. It is the ninth and penultimate on the card with an approximate 4:30 pm scheduled post with first post at 12:30 pm.

Trained by Philip Feanny for owners Penyu, Runjohnny Run makes a quick return from his failed attempt in similar (NW3) event on January 13.

Runjohnny Run led to the final 200 metres before weakening to finish two and three parts of a lengths fourth in a field of 11 in his last race. However, though winless in his previous five races, the Ham Stables Ltd-bred Runjohnny Run has already won over the 1,100 metres course and with the blinkers now removed after three unsuccessful runs, and with the administration of Lasix only, a more positive showing is anticipated.

To be ridden by Richard Mairs from barrier number nine, Runjohnny Run brings no notable achievement to the wicket, but has run against better opposition in the past in his eight starts to date, and having trained well enough in his preparation, he will be taking dead aim in the closing stages to live up to his early promise.

The well bred but lightly raced filly Amicable is expected to be at the heart of the battle, which is expected be fueled by She’s So Special with the joint leading rider, claiming apprentice jockey Prince Holder calling the tune.

She’s So Special is one of the fastest runners in the line up and with a feather to carry, could prove difficult to peg back after she gets rolling over a distance she enjoys and has already conquered.

The good thing about this race is that though there are some good talents present the race looks evenly matched which does make picking a winner a challenge, as on their day any of the well drilled Edison, the speedy Making Bop, Rocketeer, Raja Hindustani, the woeful Priceless Gold, along with Mom’s Secret and Katherinethegreat, who has been serving notice of her ability to win races albeit among lesser lights, should help to prise Runjohnny Run out of his slumber.