Trainer Alex Wong Yu-on's judgment call to step up Implied Volatility to 1,650 metres a few runs back came to fruition with a comfortable win last Wednesday and he can make it a running double with another success in the opening leg of tomorrow night's Triple Trio - an estimated first prize of HK$5 million - at Happy Valley.
Wong's initial call for blinkers to begin the season appears to be the spark that has ignited Implied Volatility's career.
The five-year-old found the line strongly second-up to earn his stripes with a maiden win over the 1,200m at Sha Tin on National Day, before covering ground and failing to fire in his next two runs from a wide gate.
Wong made the decision to step him up to a mile for his next engagement at the Valley on January 6 and dashed late for fourth behind Record High.
He was given a tough time 10 days later from gate 14 over the 1,800m at Sha Tin and scurried home late for sixth.
After an 18-day rest, Implied Volatility was back in action last Wednesday. Regular rider Howard Cheng Yu-tin had him travelling sweetly three back and one off the fence, pressed the button rounding the final bend and he went past them 100m out for a clear-cut win.
He should have no trouble with the extra eight pounds and Cheng should have him ready to click throughout from gate three.