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, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Past problems with particular horses during loading may include:
horse:
attempts to burrow under or climb gates
charges forward
pulls sideways
rears
is reluctant to move forward and requires barrier blanket.
Operation of barriers and other start equipment check may include:
battery
communication system between starter and driver
damage
electrical
front and rear gates
fuel
lights
power steering fluid
tractor oil and water
transmission fluid
tyre pressure
water.
Rules of racing in relation to race starts may include:
ahead of advertised start time
barrier positions for unruly horses
defer or delay start
horse denied fair start
horse unfit
non-starter
order of placing at barrier
rider disobedience
riderless on jumping
starter's orders
starter's powers.
Hazards associated with start of the race may include:
broken start equipment
disruption at barrier
gear breakage
injury to staff, rider or horse
non-compliance of riders.
OHS and racing safe operating 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
following accident and injury procedures
identifying and reporting unsafe work practices
identifying race start hazards
identifying emergency situations
understanding individual horse behaviour
wearing approved personal protective equipment.
Duties and instructions relayed to staff may include:
climbing barrier
holding horses
loading horses
reminding staff of high visibility of actions due to televised barrier loading
shutting gates
walking horses.
Horses are identified by:
brands
colours
gender
markings.
Approved gear may include:
bandages
bits
blinkers
boots
breastplates
bridles
crossover nosebands
girths
pacifiers
reins
rings
saddles
shadow roll
stirrup leathers
surcingles
tongue ties.
Barrier loading may include:
applying cane under starter's instruction
applying barrier blanket
applying blindfold
applying twitch
assuming correct position to assist jockey in barrier
adjusting or removing gear
communicating with other team members to complete tasks
climbing barrier and moving to horse's head to take control
closing gates of stalls correctly
exiting barrier safely, quickly and efficiently
fitting correct items of gear
identifying non-approved gear
lifting tail to prevent horse flipping
leading horse forward into barrier correctly
linking arms to move horse forward
pushing horse sideways
straddling barrier safely to control horse.
Reports are presented to stewards and race club:
maintaining confidentiality and discretion
promptly, courteously and efficiently
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 when starting thoroughbred races
implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient application of race starting operations
working with others to undertake and complete the required procedures that meet required outcomes.
Evidence should be collected over a period of time in a range of workplace-relevant contexts and include dealings with an appropriate range of situations.
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 thoroughbred horses
materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to start thoroughbred races
safe handling and approved race starting and associated facilities
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, for example:
RGRCMN001A Comply with the rules of racing and related protocols.
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).