Padmanabhan trained New Creation won the Gr 1 South India Oaks in a three-horse finish at Guindy on Tuesday. The daughter of Multidimensional who was unlucky to have lost the Bangalore 1000 Guineas due to traffic congestion that he encountered in that race, showed good improvement when beating a quality opposition. Jockey David Allan excelled in the saddle, coaxing the second favourite to quicken at the all-important end. New Creation got the measure of Tudor Treasure in the final stride even as the jockey of the runner-up was celebrating too soon thinking that he had crossed the line first!

The South India Oaks perhaps had a good field after a long time. La Rondine had distinguished herself by the winning the Group I Indian 1000 Guineas at Mumbai. The form was flanked by the performance of runner-up Arabia who had finished second best on that occasion but subsequently beat a host of colts and geldings while claiming the Gr 2 South India 2000 Guineas in impressive fashion. Local challenger Tudor Treasure from the stables of trainer Robert Foley had asserted her supremacy in the 1000 Guineas, keeping at bay the local as well as outstation challengers. Though there were doubts whether La Rondine could be equally effective over a mile and trip, she was quoted at cramped odds to extend her winning streak. There was equal support for both New Creation and Tudor Treasure.

Cherie Amie set a slow pace with New Creation settled in the second position though the filly was not too happy to be restrained. Tudor Treasure was in proximity while jockey Leigh Roche kept La Rondine in the rear position. Cherie Amie fought for a while in the stretch before New Creation could overtake the front-runner. In the meanwhile, jockey Imran Khan angled out Tudor Treasure and the progeny of the first season stallion Saamidd, took the gap between the two horses to shoot ahead. La Rondine too joined the issue. The three fought the length of the final furlong with Tudor Treasure having a thin edge. However, the forceful riding of David Allan saw New Creation pip the front-runner on the post. Imran Khan thinking that he had won, ended up celebrating only to find out when the photo-finish picture was displayed he was a head behind New Creation. La Rondine fought hard but ended up a neck behind the runner-up. While La Rondine gave her heart out, perhaps the better-staying prowess of New Creation saw the Usha Stud Farm produce take all the spoils.

Ameeta Mehra who was thrilled by the success of New Creation said that the filly could run next either in the Bangalore Derby or the Indian Oaks. ``The filly stayed well, and we will take a call after finding out how the filly has taken the hard race.``

Trainer Padmanabhan who achieved his 99th classic success with New Creation said that the victory of New Creation was indeed a satisfying one. The filly beat La Rondine who had proved to be the best of her age in the country by winning the Indian 1000 Guineas in great fashion. I am still to decide where to target New Creation next, he said.