Missing a start in Brisbane could provide Phillip Minter and Samsili with an unexpected bonus in Sunday's $60,000 Taree Cup.

The Coffs Harbour-based Minter said the Taree Cup was secondary in his original thoughts for his in-form six-year-old who is chasing a hat trick of wins.

"He went to Brisbane last week but didn't race when the meeting was called off," Minter said.

"I originally had longer races in mind for him and the Taree Cup was second choice.

"Coming back to 2000 metres could be a tad short for him but I'm hoping he's fresh enough to handle it."

Minter admitted the 10-hour round trip to Brisbane took its toll on Samsili.

"He's a horse that gets wound up when he goes away to race," he said.

"It was a big outing for him. He took a few days to get over it but he's back to his normal self now and I'm happy with his condition.

"I'm just hoping the track isn't too badly rain affected. He doesn't handle it much worse than dead."

After a seventh to Queenstown in the Grafton Cup (2350m), Samsili began his winning roll with a narrow win over 2100m at Gosford on July 24.

He then cruised to a 5-3/4 length win in a Benchmark 63 event at Coffs Harbour on August 6.

"They were only an average lot at Coffs. I don't get too carried away with things but he did win very well," Minter said.

Robert Thompson, who rode Samsili at Coffs Harbour, has retained the mount.

Thompson became available when Coffs Harbour Cup winner Southern Shimmer suffered a leg injury.

"Having Robert aboard is always an advantage," Minter said. "He knows the track and knows the horse."