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When Metropolitan trainers Bjorn Baker and Gary Portelli target a Country TAB feature they rarely miss, and they offer city credentials into the Orange Cup Prelude at Sunday’s seven-race meeting.

The profile Warwick Farm neighbours are regulars to Central Tablelands tracks, Baker with stablemates Deel With Me and Shameonus, and Portelli with Rockover, ideally placed into the $24,000 Inland Digital 1600m Cup Prelude.

Deel With Me (Alysha Collett) wins at Nowra. Image by Bradley Photographers

Both stables have other strong prospects throughout the program.

Consistent gelding Deel With Me was placed at Rosehill Gardens before winning at Mudgee and placed at Coonamble, and has an advantageous inside draw on 55kg for South African jockey Heavelon Van Der Hoven.

He follows successful compatriot Brandon Lerena to the Baker stables.

Shameonus, a dual country winner, carries 55kg for Kayla Nisbet from a wide draw.

Portelli’s Rockover was competitive at Canterbury Park when well-backed after an all-the-way win at Bathurst and an inside draw suits his racing style again for Brodie Loy on 55kg.

Meanwhile, Baker with regular doubles and even trebles at Orange and Bathurst where he has trained four on a day, was buoyed into a highly anticipated weekend for his stable.

“Deel With Me is probably the pick from the more favourable draw but both will appreciate getting back onto firm ground, in form and rock hard race fit,” Baker offered.

“Deel With Me is so genuine and consistent and where Shameonus is drawn(12) we’ll go forward. I’m expecting they’ll both run well and then progress to the Orange Cup.

“Of our others, a first starter Sinaloa trialled up nicely at home and drawn in, it’ll be competitive.”

At present Orange is a Good 4 in fine weather.

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Orange here