An excited Caspar Fownes hopes the most successful jockey in the history of Dubai World Cup night can get the best out of Senor Toba in Saturday’s Group One Dubai Sheema Classic (2,410m) at Meydan, with the trainer looking forward to teaming up with “very good friend” Frankie Dettori for what could be the final time.

Dettori, who has suggested 2023 will be his last year in the saddle, boasts 22 victories on Dubai’s biggest night of racing, and while the 52-year-old would have to pull a rabbit out of the hat to win a hot Dubai Sheema Classic aboard Senor Toba, Fownes believes his striking grey – who is the $51 outsider of the field – can outperform the market.

“He’s a very good friend and he’s probably in his last year of racing, so it’s great to give him a shot on one of mine. We’re very happy about that,” Fownes said of Dettori.

“I just wanted to see who was available and obviously when I saw Frankie was there, I jumped at him. He’s a superstar, one of the greatest jockeys of all time and his record is incredible. It’s nice to have him on and least we’ll get some good feedback.

“It’s a very strong race and obviously you’d like to have seen him in better form leading into this race, but at the same time horses can turn things around pretty quick. I give him a chance to finish between fourth and sixth in a race like this.”

Fownes and Dettori have combined in Dubai before, with the Italian jockey finishing eighth aboard Domineer in the 2016 Group One Dubai Golden Shaheen, and the four-time Hong Kong champion trainer chases his first win in the United Arab Emirates at his 11th attempt.

After winning the Group Three Centenary Vase (1,800m) at Sha Tin on February 5, Senor Toba finished seventh behind Russian Emperor in the H.H. The Amir Trophy (2,400m) in Qatar before a flat eighth in the Group Two Dubai City Of Gold (2,410m) at Meydan earlier this month.

Senor Toba again locks horns with Douglas Whyte’s Russian Emperor this weekend in a race headlined by Japanese star Equinox, who took out the Group One Tenno Sho Autumn (2,000m) and Group One Arima Kinen (2,500m) last preparation.

Also lining up from the Land of the Rising Sun are last year’s Group One Hong Kong Vase (2,400m) victor Win Marilyn and reigning Dubai Sheema Classic winner Shahryar, while the John and Thady Gosden-trained Mostahdaf and Group One Irish Derby (2,400m) winner Westover bring a British flavour to the race.

Rebel’s Romance and the galloper who finished runner up to Win Marilyn in the Vase at Sha Tin, Botanik, represent the mighty Godolphin on its home turf, while French galloper Zagrey rounds out the Hong Kong duo’s opponents.

Senor Toba and Russian Emperor worked side by side under Alberto Sanna and Douglas Whyte, respectively, on the Meydan turf on Tuesday morning, with Fownes “very happy” with his charge following the hit-out.

“He’s been a bit disappointing his two runs overseas this prep but I think he’s a little bit better now. We’ve been treating him for some internal issues,” Fownes said.

“This is great,” Fownes added as he gazed at the mighty Meydan grandstand. “There’s big prize money on offer here, a US$6 million race, and we’re hopeful we can pick up some prize money for the owners.”

While he worked Senor Toba for Fownes, Sanna will partner Russian Emperor for Whyte come Saturday’s race.