Interjo, which three years ago had nine unsuccessful attempts at hurdle and steeplechase events in Victoria before finding a home with Inverell trainer Wayne Oakenfull, gave part-owner Rowan Butler one of his biggest wins in racing.

Butler, who shares ownership with Phillip Frame, Paul Ehsman, Ian Campbell, Timmy McIntyre and Oakenfull, expected fourth-placed stablemate Jack’s Milton to win the feature race.

“I wasn’t expecting the win, it was very nice – I thought Jack would win so I went the quinella,” Butler laughed.

“But I’m very happy with him; he’s racing well.

“It was a good run at Grafton last start, but he got swamped at the end to run third. He won pretty well at Moree last time he was here, so he likes this track.

“He used to race over distances up to 4000m over hurdles and now he’s come back here to win the Moree Picnic Cup – it’s great,” he said.

Interjo ($4.20) gave Scone jockey Ashley Boyd the third leg of a winning treble when he came from midfield to score by more than a length from bold frontrunner Linga Longa (6/4fav) and Miss Sarah Jane (2/1).

Oakenfull said he was not surprised when Interjo outgunned its better-fancied stablemate.

“To some people Interjo was the second pick of my two runners, but he raced good last week at Grafton – only beaten a length – so I’m not surprised he won,” Oakenfull said.

“The other old horse, Jack’s Milton, is probably not the horse he was and Ashley is the biggest improver out of everyone at the picnics – he’s riding terrific.”

Boyd, a 27-year-old boilermaker who rides work for his father Phillip and grandfather Herb Eveleigh, notched his 65th picnic win since joining the amateur ranks nearly five years ago.

“We’ve always got one or two in work so that keeps me ticking over, keeps me fit enough,” he said.

Boyd, who collected the $500 Cole and Butler jockeys’ challenge after earlier winning with Lady Aura and Angela Dear, played down Oakenfull’s praise.

“People keep saying that I’ve improved but I think I’m still riding the same, just getting on better horses and getting a bit more of a go,” he said.

“Oakey has put me on since day one and I rode my second winner for him on Our Jester (2003 Mallawa Bracelet).”

Boyd had Interjo travelling sweetly in midfield before sweeping to a comfortable win.

“He travelled well in the run and we just peeled out at the right time – got to the line well,” he said.

“I’ve won a few cup races, but this is one of the bigger ones prize money-wise.”