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 perform the duties of clerk of course at race meetings and trials. Workplaces include harness or thoroughbred racecourses, training tracks, administration buildings and public areas.
Horses are conditioned by:
planning a program taking into account the following:
current fitness
expected daily work routine
term of duties
types of work patterns, including slow foundation work and sprints
determining or observing fitness indicators, including:
recovery time after exercise
brightness of eye
appetite and general health and wellbeing
muscle definition
respiration and heart rate
weight of horse.
Horses are fed by:
ensuring feed is of high quality, considering:
absence of mould or rot
age of material
rodent or other spoilage
providing a variety of protein and energy sources, including:
prepackaged or bulk base feed
varieties of grass, hays and fodders
taking into account horse's individual aspects, including:
age
level of work
individual taste
metabolism
gender
water consumption
using supplements, including:
vitamins
calcium
electrolytes
potassium citrate
iron.
Regular action required to ensure a horse's good health will include:
hoof care
identifying and reporting notifiable diseases
illness and injury checks
skin checks
teeth treatment
vaccinations
waste removal
worming.
OHS and racing safety protocols and procedures may include:
adhering to responsibilities under OHS legislation and workplace practices
adhering to responsibilities under national and state codes of practice; federal, state and territory legislation; and local government regulations covering animal welfare
adhering to rules of racing and rules of the race venue
considering variables that influence behaviour of horses, such as:
fences and equipment
other persons or animals
vehicles
wind and noise
contributing to development of risk control measures
following safe work practices
identifying and reporting unsafe work practices
identifying and preventing hazards
identifying emergency situations
trial and race meeting specific health and safety procedures for the protection of others, including:
all gear used on horses is approved and of good quality
protective gear conforms to required standards
understanding individual horse behaviour
wearing approved personal protective equipment.
Identification of starters will include:
brands
coat colour
markings
race colours
race stall number
race book directory
sex.
Assistance to starter and drivers or riders may include:
assembling horses prior to going on to track
responding to directions from starter
moving horses to barrier
assisting in controlling horses after the race
assisting in adjusting gear.
Effective strategies employed may include:
assistance with:
adjusting of gear
leading or escorting horse
catching horse that has lost driver or rider
catching horse that is loose
hazing horse that is loose.
Opportunities for horses to escape and/or cause injury are assessed by:
knowledge of racecourse layout, including access and egress points
knowledge of expected changes in horse behaviour during race meetings, including:
agitation and sweating up
biting
charging forward
kicking
pulling back or sideways
rearing
reluctance to move forward
turning in circles.
Racing participants may include:
drivers (harness)
jockeys (thoroughbred)
punters and other racegoers
race day staff
strappers
trainers.
Racing safe operating procedures will include:
procedures that are relevant to the range of race meeting clerk of course activities, including:
catching loose horses
fitting gear to horses behind the barriers
escorting horses to mounting yard or birdcage enclosure.
Reports are relayed to stewards or starter:
courteously and efficiently
maintaining confidentiality and discretion
promptly
using correct forms of greeting
via verbal and/or written communication, including:
describing actions
giving and receiving clear, accurate and simple messages
listening to and interpreting information and instructions
written reports may include simple documents and notes.

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 performing the duties of clerk of course at race meetings or trials
demonstration of competent riding and horse handling skills in a range of situations relevant to clerk of course duties
implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient application of clerk of course duties
working with others to undertake 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 race meeting and trial environments.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Competency must be assessed in a racing workplace that provides access to 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
materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to perform clerk of course duties
safe handling areas and racetracks, including registered race meetings and trials
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.
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.
This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role.
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).