THE summer may be drawing to a close, but York Racecourse has still been pulling the crowds for its September meeting.

There will be more fun for all the family at Knavesmire, on Sunday at the Evening Press-sponsored race day.

James Brennan, marketing manager at the race course, said the warm sunshine had made yesterday a "super day" for racing, a day which had seen its fair share of excitement on the track.

"I suppose the excitement of the day came in the fourth race, where we had the very unusual event of a dead heat, two horses tied for a first," he said.

One of the first-place horses was Yorkshire-trained Scott's View, trained by Mark Johnson, of Middleham, and ridden by jockey Kevin Darley, of Sheriff Hutton. The other was Muhareb. Another Yorkshire trainer, Tim Easterby, of Norton, also had a winner in one of the races.

James said the racecourse could usually expect between 10,000 and 12,000 for the September meeting, depending on whether the new school year had started.

But all the family will be able to go along to the Evening Press Sunday Race Day, which takes place this Sunday.

"We're all looking forward to it," said James. "It is very much an opportunity for less regular racegoers to join regular racegoers to come down and see six competitive races."

There will also be other attractions on offer for family members, including a "racing explained" area and a mascots' challenge.

Updated: 11:40 Thursday, September 05, 2002