Williams The Difference In Launceston Cup

Genuine Lad will chase mainland riches after breaking the track record in winning the Launceston Cup on Wednesday.

Trainer Bill Ryan spoke to jockey Craig Williams before legging him aboard about the possibility of Genuine Lad tackling next month's Adelaide Cup.

And when he returned to scale, Williams gave connections the thumbs up, saying the gelding is a promising stayer who will have no trouble coping with 3200m at Morphettville.

Williams made the Launceston Cup a solid staying test and in winning by three-quarters of a length from Banca Mo, clipped almost a second off the 2400-metre track record.

Geegees Blackflash, aiming to complete the Hobart Cup-Launceston Cup double, finished 3-1/4 lengths away third.

The victory was Williams' second consecutive Launceston Cup after winning last year on Epingle.

"Bill's a very astute trainer and with my little experience that I've have had dealing with him I was pretty sure that I knew what sort of horse I was riding today," Williams said.

"He's a horse going places and a very superior stayer.

"He took a lot of riding but he outstayed them."

Williams first started pushing aboard Genuine Lad as far out as the 900m and it was the intention to make Geegees Blackflash, who accounted for Genuine Lad at Hobart, feel his 60.5kg.

Driving hard, Genuine Lad got an inside run and fought strongly to the line.

Genuine Lad had been ridden by Anthony Darmanin at Hobart and connections were looking for a change of luck with the stayer.

"Darmanin had ridden him in his last four or five runs and wasn't able to crack it for a winner so we thought a change of rider might make a difference," Ryan said.

"Craig's an international-class jockey and that makes that little bit of difference.

"He's been very unlucky this horse and he'll only get better as he gets older."