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 develop driving skills for trackwork. Workplaces include harness stables and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.
Exercise instructions may include:
duration of exercise
exercise venue
pace, including walking and jogging
specific gear or equipment to be used.
Exercise areas may include:
designated slow exercise areas at racecourses
paddocks
private roads at racecourses
private tracks
relevant rules of racing
rules and regulations of exercise area.
Hazards and obstacles may include:
broken rails, fences or gates
creeks and waterholes
dusty or eroded tracks
horses
machinery
rabbit holes
slippery or muddy surfaces
stray animals, including native animals
vehicles.
Gear selected will include:
bits, for example:
snaffle
straight rubber
boots, for example:
ankle (pastern)
bell boot
scalping
shin
breastplate
bridle
crupper, for example:
standard
rubber dock
tail tie
harness
saddle
standard overcheck or head check
driver gear:
approved Australian Standard helmet, clothing and footwear
sulky.
Horse is prepared for exercise by:
fitting bridle comfortably to horse with reins secured until ready to attach to sulky
positioning sulky to assist with balance to reduce resistance when in motion
requesting assistance from strapper for driving or leading exercise
making final check of gear before mounting sulky
warming up.
Safe zones will include:
distance from other horses:
when walking, maintaining two horse lengths
when trotting or jogging, maintaining four to six lengths
identifying and keeping clear of young or intractable horses
techniques for slowing or manoeuvring horses seeking to encroach on space of others
width between drivers.
Potential risks may include:
gear breakage
loose horses
driver injury
kicks from adjacent horses.
Industry recognised methods to measure speed and distance may include:
measuring distance by:
knowing circumference of track
measuring distance in furlongs, miles or laps
stepping out distance
using track marker poles
measuring time by:
counting aloud
estimating time in relation to distance covered
using marker poles
using stopwatch.
Driving etiquette may include:
checking carefully to make sure way is clear before proceeding
keeping unnecessary noise to a minimum
waiting until oncoming horses have passed before proceeding
waiting for vehicles to pass before proceeding.
Trainer's instructions may include:
length and type of warm up
length and type of cool down
speed, distance and direction of jog work.

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 trackwork
demonstration of driving skills for trackwork according to trainer instructions
implementation of procedures and timely techniques to complete driving skills for trackwork safely, effectively and efficiently
working with others to undertake and complete driving skills for trackwork 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 the required resources or simulated environment approved by the relevant State Principal Harness Racing Authority. 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 well-educated harness horses
materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to practise driving skills
safe handling and controlled driving areas, such as racing stables, and training and racetracks
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
simulation exercises conducted in a State Principal Harness Racing Authority approved simulated environment.
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).