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 select horses for racing. Workplaces include harness and thoroughbred racing stables and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.
Profiling a racehorse may include:
assessment of pedigree and performance of close relatives
conformation evaluation
health and injury status
performance if any of nominated horse.
Characteristics of racehorse types include:
climate adaptability
horses that prefer to lead versus those who prefer cover
racehorse types:
all weather runners versus particular weather specialists
distance versus sprinting types
track direction preferences
track type preferences
temperament and ability to settle into training and racing
variations in behaviour and management requirements, based on age and sex.
Features of conformation may include:
balance and proportion of body
conformational faults that may affect racing performance
front leg structural features
hind leg structural features
structural features of feet and hooves.
Racing program aims may include:
longer term performance in feature races
race class
race distance
race location, including:
country
metropolitan
picnic
provincial
race start type.
Pedigree information may include:
dam line pedigree styles
methods used in pedigrees to identify race performance, such as black type
personal knowledge of family is used, such as previous close relations in stable or similar
sire line pedigree styles
suffix details commonly used in pedigrees for horses, for example import country
terminology used in describing relationship between ancestors and other relations for horses.
Racing breeding theories may include:
Bruce Lowe
cluster mares
cross-breeding
dosage pedigrees
inbreeding
influence of dam on progeny performance
influence of environment on performance potential
influence of sire on progeny performance
line breeding
nicks
outbreeding
race records and statistical information
taproot pedigrees
Tesio
Varola.
Features of prominent racing lines may include:
consistency of type within progeny of nominated sire or dam
consistency of race performance of nominated sire or dam, for example producers of 2 year old winners
current successful dams based on:
dam's race record
number of foals to race
number of winners to starters
prize money earned by progeny
current successful sires based on:
number of runners for winners
number of winners to starters
prize money earned by progeny
sire's race record
sale price of yearlings
race performance of related progeny within a three generation pedigree
reputation of stallion as producer of successful broodmares.
Options for racing horses may include:
affordability of price range
racing as an owner-trainer
leasing horses to race
syndicating horses to race
purchasing a share in a horse
purchasing a horse and engaging a trainer
selecting a horse with racing performance versus selecting a yearling
breeding a horse to race.
Specialist advice may include:
bloodstock agent assessment
farrier assessment
trainer advice
veterinary advice and testing, including:
x-ray
blood test
endoscope
suitability for racing assessment, including:
metabolic efficiency
respiratory soundness
structural soundness
racing fitness testing.
Options for horse's future may include:
changing racing location:
to change climate
to change quality of competition
to change racing direction
changing trainer
retiring horse from racing
selecting appropriate race distance
selecting appropriate race type, such as country versus metropolitan start
spelling horse.
Horse's future may include:
ensuring adequate provision is made for feed, water shelter, exercise and companionship if horse is to be retired
euthanasing horse with serious injuries or poor prognosis
identifying potential other uses for horse that is retired from racing, such as re-homing to equestrian or pleasure riding or driving situation
leasing horse to other racing team
reviewing horse's needs after retirement if horse does not cope with paddock life
selling horse to other racing home
sending horse to stud.

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 processes that are to apply when determining a horse's suitability for racing
preparation and timely application of criteria for the safe, effective and efficient selection of horses for racing or alternative future options
working with others to select horses for racing that meet required outcomes.
Evidence should be collected over a period of time and be focused on selection and decision making processes applying to a range of racehorses of different ages and sexes, at different stages of their racing career and housed in a racing stable. Theoretical components can be assessed in a simulated situation but must be related to racing industry conditions and contexts.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Competency may be assessed in an actual workplace or simulated environment 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.
This unit includes practical aspects as well as the research, interpretation and evaluation of data. 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 assess conformation, pedigree and race type features of horses for racing
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
inspection of completed work
simulation exercises.
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, for example:
RTE3148A Assess conformation of horses.
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).