Elements and Performance Criteria

RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording in the performance criteria is detailed below.

The range statement provides details of how this competency can be used in the workplaces of the racing industry to drive horses in pacework and fast work. Workplaces include harness stables and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.
Exercise instructions may include:
achieving and maintaining speed for each section of exercise period
duration of exercise
exercise venue
pace, including walking and jogging
specific gear and equipment to be used.
Horse welfare monitoring may include:
feeling consistent contact on reins
identifying unexplained drop-off in horse speed, power or attitude to work
listening to breathing pattern
listening to footfalls
measuring heart rate
observing sweating pattern.
Gear selected will include:
horse gear:
anti-rearing bit
bandages
burrs
bits
boots
breastplate
blinkers
bridle
crupper
harness
head check
leading bit
saddle
shadow rolls
spreaders
tail tie
tongue tie
driver gear:
approved Australian Standard helmet, clothing and footwear
sulky.
Pacework speed may include:
establishing and maintaining speeds of 2.20 minutes per mile
maintaining line on track for efficiency of movement
using track markers, stopwatch and other indicators to measure distance and speed.
Fast work speed may include:
establishing and maintaining speeds of 2.10 to 2.08 minutes per mile
maintaining line on track for efficiency of movement
using track markers, stopwatch and other indicators to measure distance and speed.
Racing skills may include:
driving horse from front of field
driving horse from behind
driving horse in company to encourage horse to maintain or better position on track
judicious use of the whip within animal welfare rules of racing to control speed and line on track
practising score-up procedures
practising standing and mobile starts
working close to other horses at fast work speeds.

EVIDENCE GUIDE
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit and include evidence of the following:
knowledge of the requirements, procedures and instructions that are to apply when developing driving skills for pacework and fast work
demonstration of driving skills to establish and maintain pacework and fast work speeds according to trainer instructions
demonstration of driving skills to avoid or prevent potential accidents at speed
implementation of procedures and timely techniques to complete driving skills safely, effectively and efficiently
working with others to undertake and complete driving skills that meet required outcomes.
Evidence should be collected over a period of time using a range of well-educated harness horses of different ages and sexes in racing stable and track environments.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Competency must be assessed in a racing workplace that provides access to horses that are being educated and trained in a commercial racing stable under the care of a licensed trainer and the required resources. Assessment is to occur under standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints. It is to comply with relevant regulatory requirements or Australian Standards requirements.
Assessment of the practical components of this unit will be by observation of relevant skills.
The following resources must be available:
a variety of harness horses that are currently in training
commercial racing training establishments, and training and racetracks
materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to practise pacework and fast work driving skills
work instructions and related documentation.
Method of assessment
Assessment methods must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Racing Training Package.
The suggested strategies for the assessment of this unit are:
written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge
observed and firsthand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks.
Evidence is required to be demonstrated over a period of time, therefore where performance is not directly observed any evidence should be authenticated by supervisors or other appropriate persons.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.
Guidance information for assessment
Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy and numeracy demands) and the needs of particular target groups (e.g. people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people with a language background other than English, youth and people from low socioeconomic backgrounds).