By any measure it was a hectic for Perth trainer Martin Allan last week.
There were his usual horse affairs to attend to, a couple that were more pressing and urgent than others that caused him some anxious moments.
One of his favourite horses Time To Sizzle, a speedy winner in six of her 13 races, survived a severe colic attack, but her racing career is almost certainly over.
Her illness came less than a day after an Allan weanling injured a tendon in a paddock accident that will delay his introduction to the race track.
But by week’s end Allan had shrugged those worries away and was on an emotional high when he and his partner, Johanna, celebrated the birth of their first child.
For Allan, a life-changing event put racing into perspective.
“Anja is the name of our beautiful girl,” Allan told The Races WA.
“After the week we had it was good to focus on something else.
“It’s a life-changing moment in our lives.
‘It was a bit hairy early in the week, but it all ended as well as you could imagine.”
After being bought for $500, Time To Sizzle has won just a tick over $140,000 in prizemoney and bonuses.
A noted on pace speedster, Time To Sizzle was dynamite over the short course with five of her six wins at 1000m.
“It was touch and go for a while to see whether she would survive, but she is out of the woods now,” Allan said.
“She’ll have four months off and may race again, but I want to breed from her, that is my main thing.”
Meanwhile Spiced Delight is nearing a come back after completing a hot Lark Hill trial on Monday.
The three-year-old took out a 950m heat by four lengths, stopping the clock at 55.84sec.
Spiced Delight has not been seen at the races since finishing a close second to Just A Pinch on debut a year go.
“That’s was her third trial and should trim her right up,” Allan said.
“She will race in blinkers either in a class 1 or in a 3YO 1100m race.
“She’s improved after going shin sore at her only start.
“She’s a nice horse who is a close relation to Mizlecki.”
Great Waters is on a country cups campaign if he gets through the All Flags Signs And Banners Handicap (1600m) at Ascot on Wednesday.
The four-year-old is stepping out for his first assignment of the year after running seventh to Adornment over 2000m in December.
“The Pinjarra Cup and the Jericho Cup qualifier are some of the races I’m looking at,” Allan said.
“I think he is good enough to win first-up.”
Great Waters has drawn barrier seven and carries 58kg with the claim of Laqdar Ramoly.
The Dundeel gelding is the $3.80 Tabtouch favourite.
Julio Santarelli