Allen's previous training win was with Devils Island gelding Devils Way at Forbury Park in February 1997, Phil Williamson steering the then 5yr-old to his only victory.
Devils Way, who paid $65.45 for the win, had already lived up to his name prior to his only win, as Allen broke his neck after falling from the sulky behind Devils Way in a work-out.
Allen now works for Williamson, but toys around with Xmas In New York. He now has the next generation of Williamsons supporting him - Phil's son, Matthew, was in the sulky on Friday night.
Allen explained Xmas In New York is a consolation prize for which he has been waiting a long time.
Allen raced Xmas In New York's mother, Caring Smile (by Sir Delrae), with Kevin Townley in the early 1990s before she was claimed by Canterbury trainer Fred Morris.
''I'd always regretted that we lost the mare in the claiming race,'' he said.
The Morrises were kind enough to give Allen a chance to breed a foal from Caring Smile but that did not work out either.
''They let me breed one from her, but the foal was born with a deformity, so I missed out there too.''
So when Xmas In New York - the ninth foal out of the mare - was entered in a claiming event at Methven in early October, Allen seized his chance, even if the gelding had not won since February 2011.
''When I got him, he looked to have a bit of a leg issue but we sent him over to Geoff Knight for one start,'' Allen said.
''But it was decided it would be better with me pottering around with him.
''I brought him home and gave him six or eight weeks off and just took it from there."
Not even an awful performance at Oamaru on May 19 deterred Allen from lining the 7yr-old up at Forbury Park on Friday.
''It was a dismal failure the start before. We thought at Oamaru he had a show but with a round to go, he was gone,'' he said.
''He checked out all right afterwards and I got him vetted, but he was fine.''
Back surgery and ''all sorts of things'' has kept Allen away from holding a training licence since 2003, but he has three broodmares at his Oamaru property, along with two young pacers who are being prepared by Nathan Williamson at Ryal Bush in Southland.
The link with the Williamsons goes back further than Phil's winning drive behind Devils Way in 1997.
''I've known Phil for years - we worked together for 20-odd years at the tannery - so it was quite good that the opportunity came up to work there.''
Allen may line up Xmas In New York at Ashburton on Sunday, or he may bring the 49-start veteran back to Forbury Park in the coming weeks.
''You've got to place him right from now, as he's no speed machine"
