It could be money, professional pride or simply delayed shock.
But there is another reason Cambridge horseman Andrew Neal is still smiling four days after producing Flight South to produce the biggest upset in New Zealand harness racing history last Friday.
The 107-1 winner of the Auckland Cup may have left punters with a hangover in their wallets but it left Sydney harness racing officials red faced - and Neal feeling justified.
Because New South Wales harness racing officials told Neal Flight South wasn't good enough to be invited to a mares' race at Harold Park last month.
Neal wanted to take Flight South to Sydney for the $A100,000 Ladyship Stakes on November 17 but was told the mare would not get one of the 12 invitations.
"They told me her form wasn't good enough and that she didn't deserve an invitation," said Neal.
"I wasn't impressed with the way they treated us and I wonder what they think now."
The incident created a media storm in Australia, where one NSWHRC official was quoted as calling Neal a "jerk off."
"I was pretty insulted by the whole thing because all I wanted to do was go over there and race.
"I find it pretty hard to believe there were 12 better mares in Australia than Flight South."
While missing the trip may well have paved the way for the win which stunned the industry last Friday, missing the Sydney race was especially disappointing for Sydney-based owner Ken McNamara, who owns Flight South with Wellingtonian John Yardley and Neal.
But McNamara, and any of his Sydney friends who remained loyal, might have got some extra compensation last Friday - Flight South paid an unbelievable $220.65 on the New South Wales tote.
Flight South will now be set for the mares races at Addington in March before heading to the Interdominions in Brisbane in April.
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Peter Wolfenden was looking out for punters when he scratched Agua Caliente from the Auckland Cup.
The problematic pacer was a late scratching after his troublesome suspensory flared up on Friday.
"It is not too bad but we couldn't race him like that," he said.
"When he gets sore like that he doesn't go away so it wouldn't have been fair on the horse or the betting public."
Agua Caliente will miss the rest of the carnival but Wolfenden says he will race again this season.
"But I think the Interdominions will be out. The three races in a week would get to him."
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Franco Heir will open fixed odds favourite for the Great Northern Derby even after his first defeat last Friday night.
The Sires' Stakes winner has fared in the draws at barrier two, with northern star Young Rufus alongside at three.
Other leading 3-year-olds Taihape Tickler, who beat Franco Heir last Friday, and City Rogue now face huge tasks, starting from the outside of the front and second lines respectively.
Fixed odds on the $100,000 Derby will be available tomorrow.
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Derby contender Trish's Boy has returned a positive swab after winning at Alexandra Park on December 8.
Harness Racing New Zealand has opened an investigation into the result but the 3-year-old is still able to take his place in Friday's classic.
Racing: Neal has last laugh on unhelpful Australians
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