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 trial and race horses. Workplaces include harness or thoroughbred stables and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.
Race meeting program and race classes include:
race distance
race start type
race location, including:
country
metropolitan
picnic
provincial
harness race classes:
pacing and trotting (all of the categories below can apply to either race style)
2 year old
3 year old
4 year old
claiming
derby
graduation
heat
invitation
match race
metropolitan and country races:
classes 1 to 10
mobile start
show
sires stake
standing start
thoroughbred race classes:
group
handicap
listed
open
special condition
restricted races:
maiden
trophy
classes A to D
classes 1 to 6.
Factors to be considered when trialling horses include:
determining exercise required prior to trial
need to trial in order to educate horse for racing
reason for trial, for example:
previously banned from racing
top off fitness
rider or driver availability
time frame before targeted race meeting
trial calendars and opportunities to trial on a particular track
weather and track conditions.
Performance in trial is reviewed using:
comments from rider or driver
quality of trial field
track conditions
track record
trial time.
Rider or driver is engaged for a race by:
determining which riders or drivers are available
selecting rider based on weight claim (thoroughbred)
selecting rider or driver based on skill with particular horse temperament or style of racing
selecting rider or driver on experience with nominated race or race location.
Race meeting preparations will include:
advising officials:
if horse is not available to run
race strategies
gear changes
arranging accommodation for horse and staff if required
arranging transportation to and from race meeting
briefing staff on:
allocation of staff for race meeting and home stable duties
safety procedures at race meeting
routine procedures of conducting a race, including:
collecting horses as they return to parade area
drug testing
grooming horses
handing over control of horse to rider or driver
harnessing up or saddling horses
identifying horses
parading horses prior to start
restrictions on feeding and watering horses at race meeting
supervising horses during race meeting
checking track and weather conditions
confirming horse is ready to run by:
checking hoof condition and shoeing
conducting out of competition drug tests if required
reviewing health, eating and drinking
reviewing performance in trackwork
determining exercise required prior to race.
Protocols and procedures that apply to race meetings include:
accepting horses for races
answering questions and attending inquiries as required by stewards
arriving at race meeting in given time frame
attending horse in tie-up stalls
attending inquiries to assist apprentice or junior driver during inquiries
collecting horse post-race
collecting saddle (thoroughbred) and number from jockey or driver room
completing stable returns
complying with drug testing protocols
ensuring self and staff attending race meeting are registered, have required identification and are appropriately attired
ensuring shoes, plates or no shoes are approved for racing
nominating horses for races
notifying stewards of race instructions for rider or driver
parading in required time
parading winners according to officials' instructions
presenting horse to race in good health and well-groomed
providing identification for horse at race meeting
providing riders or drivers with race instructions
registering race colours of owners
saddling up or tacking up with clean, well-fitting approved gear that is in good repair
sewing bandages.
Types of officials' directions likely to be made during race meetings include:
asking for documentation of horses
instructing participants to move from nominated area
instructing patrons in case of an emergency or safety issue
instructing patrons to leave racetrack venue
instructing race meeting veterinarian or farrier to attend, inspect or treat horse
instructing trainer to present horse for pre or post-race drug testing
questioning on any aspect of conduct of race meeting
questioning trainer on health or injury status of horse pre and post-race
questioning trainer on race strategies or other instructions to rider or driver.
Information required by racehorse owners includes:
prospects of horse in race
protocols for addressing and complying with officials' instructions
required protocols (including dress standards) and safety procedures in parade or presentation areas
routine procedures of conducting a race, including:
identification
parading
meeting rider or driver
horses sent to start
race run
horses return to parade area
drug testing
their rights in protests, appeals or inquiries
use of mobile phones.
Assessment of horse's recovery will include:
checking for heat or swelling after cool down
checking for signs of injury after race
monitoring horse's recovery rate through vital signs
checking horse movement and behaviour during exercise 48 hours post-race
monitoring horse response to exercise in week post-race
monitoring horse's eating and drinking habits 24 hours post-race
reviewing horse's behaviour for signs of distress or pain.
Trial and race performance can be assessed by:
comparing quality of race field to nominated horse
considering track and weather conditions, and trial or race incidents that affected horse's performance
expected race place compared to actual
race winner time compared to nominated horse time
reviewing race video for performance in various stages of race
rider or driver comments
track record for race distance.
Future race and training plans are prepared with consideration to:
checking horse's health and fitness via blood and other tests
consulting with owners
determining if horse is better suited to racing in opposite direction (thoroughbred)
determining if race class for next race should be same, higher or lower
determining if training and conditioning need to be modified, for example:
more or less work
varying type of work
giving horse a short or extended spell
race performance during current preparation
rationalising whether horse should continue racing
selecting another rider or driver.

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 planning and implementing racing schedules to trial and race horses
implementation of protocols, procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient trialling and racing of horses
working with others to implement and complete procedures that meet required outcomes.
Evidence should be collected over a period of time using a range of racehorses of different ages and sexes, and at different stages of preparation in racing stable, track and race meeting 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 or thoroughbred horses that are currently in training
commercial racing training establishments, safe racetrack areas, race meetings and related facilities
materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to trial and race horses, including rules of racing and approved gear
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, documented and firsthand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks.
Where performance is not directly observed any evidence should be authenticated by supervisors or other appropriate persons, at least one of whom should be approved by the State Principal Racing Authority.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
RGRPSH501A Plan and adapt training and conditioning programs for racehorses
RGRPSH502A Plan and implement education of horses for racing.
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).