Trainer Bill Ryan said he had made the change with a long-term view to Genuine Lad running in this year’s Caulfield Cup during the spring carnival.

‘‘The winner of the Mornington Cup is ballot free for the Caulfield Cup in October and it will be a guide to us whether we aim higher or lower,’’ Ryan said.

The $350,000 Mornington Cup (2400m) will be run on Saturday, March 28 and Ryan intends to give Genuine Lad a start over 2100m at Mowbray on March 18 before heading interstate.

‘‘The Adelaide Cup is on next Monday and I didn’t really want to race Genuine Lad over 3200m so quickly so the Mornington Cup came into the picture,’’ he said.

Ryan gave the four-year-old a few days off after his Launceston Cup success and said the gelding was galloping around his paddock at Longford.

‘‘He broke the track record and the race doesn’t seem to have hurt him at all,’’ he said.

Genuine Lad was ridden by champion jockey Craig Williams in the Launceston Cup and Ryan hopes to retain him for the Mornington Cup but has a few hurdles to overcome first.

‘‘The Mornington Cup is run on the same day as the Golden Slipper in Sydney but at this stage Craig doesn’t have a Slipper ride and could concentrate on Mornington instead,’’ he said.

Ryan will liaise with Williams’ manager Mark Guest in the coming weeks to see if he is available and in the meantime Brendon McCoull will return to the saddle for the Sydeston Night Cup (2100m) at Mowbray on March 18.

A quick talk with Williams after the Launceston Cup has resulted in Ryan making a gear change for Genuine Lad’s next run.

‘‘I have taken the blinkers off him and replaced them with visors,’’ he said.

Ryan had similar thoughts of a gear change before the Launceston Cup but decided against it but was then influenced by Williams’ opinion.

‘‘When he was second in the Hobart Cup I don’t think he saw Geegees Blackflash until it was too late and I respect Craig’s opinion,’’ he said.

Meanwhile Genuine Lad’s stablemate Iggimacool is heading for a break after her gallant fifth in the Launceston Cup.

‘‘Her immune system was affected by a virus and she just needs some time to recover,’’ he said.