Dowsing (horse)

Dowsing made his racecourse debut in the Houghton Stakes at Newmarket Racecourse in October when he finished tenth of the twelve runners after struggling against his jockey's attempts to restrain him. In November he started second favourite for a maiden race over six furlongs at Doncaster Racecourse but finished sixth of the twenty-two runners.[5]

Dowsing began his second season by winning a minor race over six furlongs at Warwick Racecourse and finished second when moved up to seven furlongs on his next appearance. At York Racecourse he recorded his first important success when he won the William Hill Golden Spurs Trophy Handicap. In late July he was assigned top weight of 136 pounds for the Stewards' Cup and finished fourth behind the lightly-weighted outsider Madraco. The colt ran poorly in a Listed race at Newmarket and then finished fourth to Guest Performer in the Park Stakes over seven furlongs at Doncaster in September, appearing to run out of stamina in the closing stages. In the Group Three Diadem Stakes at Ascot Racecourse Dowsing started the 8/1 third favourite behind Hallgate (winner of the race in 1986) and Print PHopeful Stakes. Ridden as in most of his previous races by Pat Eddery, he tracked the leaders before moving up to challenge the pace-setter Governor General a furlong out. After a protracted struggle, Dowsing got the better of Governor General and won by a length despite flashing his tail in the closing stages.[2]

Dowsing began his third season in the Duke of York Stakes at York on 12 May and finished fifth of the thirteen runners behind Handsome Sailor. At Royal Ascot in June he started the 9/2 second favourite for the Cork and Orrery Stakes and finished fifth behind Posada. On 26 July Dowsing ran for the second time in the Stewards' Cup and carried top weight of 140 pounds. He finished third of the twenty-eight runners behind Rotherfield Greys and Glencroft.[6]

In August Dowsing was sent to France to contest the Prix de Meautry at Deauville Racecourse and finished fourth behind Cricket Ball. On 12 September, Dowsing was one of ten horses to contest the Group One Vernons Sprint Cup over six furlongs at Haydock Park. The Irish colt Big Shuffle started favourite ahead of Handsome Sailor, Caerwent (National Stakes) and Silver Fling with Dowsing next in betting at odds of 15/2. The other five runners were Ghariba (Nell Gwyn Stakes), Print, Umbelata, Sharp Romance and Polykratis. After being "driven along" by Eddery in the last quarter mile, Dowsing gained the advantage in the final strides and won by a head from Silver Fling with a gap of four lengths back to Caerwent in third place.[7]