DESPITE his mild upset win (3-1) in the Coca-Cola Invitational Mile on Saturday with Phineas, trainer Andrew McDonald is sweating a bit as his charge is still on the waiting list of horses officially termed as the ‘also eligible’ list to run in the lucrative Supreme Ventures Limited-sponsored Diamond Mile on December 5.

A provisional list of horses was provided last month by the promoting company based on lifetime earnings for participation in the SVL Diamond Mile, with Phineas in position three on the ‘also eligible’ list behind Campesino and Crucial Appeal.

By virtue of winning the Invitational Mile on Saturday, Phineas has moved up to lifetime earnings of approximately $4,396,100 moving him ahead of Crucial Appeal but not Campesino. Campesino, who finished second in the Glen Mills Sprint, moved to earnings of approximately $5,014,850.

“Yes, I am sweating a bit as Phineas really ran well on Saturday to beat Seeking My Dream in a good time (1:37.0 minutes) as well.

“Naturally, the owners and I would like to see him start in the Diamond Mile, but based on the participation condition of lifetime earnings we have to wait, so let’s wait and see but it is not a comfortable wait,” said trainer McDonald, who currently runs a barn with 12 horses.

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Commenting further, McDonald told the Complete Racing Guide that he was overcome with joy when Phineas won the prestigious Invitational Mile.

“I am a young trainer, as I got my licence in 2000, and since then it has always been my wish to get a winner in one of the big races. I did so on Saturday and I am a happy, happy man. Phineas is really special, and let’s hope he will be able to run in the Diamond Mile,” he said.