Assessor Resource

RGRPSG404A
Trial and race greyhounds

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit of competency supports trainers and others in the greyhound racing industry responsible for planning and managing trialling and racing of greyhounds.

This unit can be contextualised for other industries while also maintaining the integrity of the unit.

This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to review individual greyhound training performance, prepare and implement racing program plans, race greyhounds in accordance with the rules of racing and related protocols, review race performance and develop future race and training plans.

This unit also requires the ability to demonstrate competence in the practical care and management of racing greyhounds and application of OHS standards in the workplace.

This unit of competency operates in work environments of racing kennels, racecourses and public areas.

Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this unit. Check with your State Principal Racing Authority for current license or registration requirements.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.




Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

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 apply to planning and managing greyhound trial and race programs.

demonstration of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient implementation of trial and race programs for racing greyhounds

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 greyhounds of different ages, sexes and temperaments, and at different stages of preparation in racing kennel and track environments.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency must be assessed in a racing workplace that provides access to greyhounds that are being educated and trained in a commercial racing kennel 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 greyhounds currently in training

commercial kennels, safe racetrack areas, race meetings and related facilities

materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to trial and race greyhounds

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:

RGRPSG303A Determine nutritional requirements for racing greyhounds

RGRPSG401A Relate anatomical and physiological features to the care and treatment of greyhounds

RGRPSG402A Manage greyhound health and welfare

RGRPSG403A Plan and implement education and training of greyhounds 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).


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

adapting trial and racing program plans according to individual greyhound responses and specific stages of preparation

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

applying safe handling and work practices when dealing with greyhounds

assessing greyhound condition

assessing and responding to illnesses or injuries in greyhounds

calming and controlling greyhounds

communicating with stewards, racing officials, kennel staff, greyhound health and exercise specialists, and others using assertive communication techniques to gather and relay information related to trialling and racing greyhounds

dealing with emergencies

giving and receiving instructions

identifying behaviour traits of individual greyhounds

identifying possible options for improving race performance

implementing greyhound trialling and racing processes and procedures

presenting greyhounds in a fit and healthy condition for trials and races

reading and interpreting workplace documentation, including relevant rules of racing

relating to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with varying physical and mental abilities

selecting appropriate qualifying trials and races for individual greyhounds

supporting others when handling, trialling and racing greyhounds in the appropriate manner

written communication skills to compile and maintain greyhound records and associated procedural documentation.

Required knowledge

communication procedures within kennel and wider racing industry

common greyhound behaviour, social traits and vices

common illnesses and injuries in greyhounds

effective working relationships, including teamwork

emergency control measures

industry terminology related to trialling and racing greyhounds, including type and class of race

principles of planning training and racing programs for greyhounds

protocols and procedures for entering greyhounds for races

protocols and procedures for racing greyhounds

racing industry animal welfare requirements

racing industry safety requirements, including safe operating procedures

roles and responsibilities of trainers, staff and officials at trials and race meetings

rules of racing

track features, surfaces and conditions

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 greyhounds. Workplaces include kennels and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.

Greyhounds' training performance against racing goals may include:

animal welfare and racing guidelines for the amount of exercise

expected time frame to first race

hormone control, for example:

sire versus bitch

race grade that greyhound is being prepared for

specialist advice to review fitness, including:

blood tests

other fitness tests.

Racing program plans may include:

considering recent training performance and level of greyhound health and fitness

determining exercise and remedial work required prior to trialling or racing

available and appropriate qualifying trials, including:

greyhound potential to win

location and distance of trial

quality and make up of trial field

class of races, including:

grades 1 to 5

aged

juvenile

maiden

mixed

non-graded

special event

external factors, including:

distance of races

race locations

track surfaces

weather conditions

ultimate aim for greyhound .

Racing meeting preparations may include:

arranging transportation to and from race meeting and planning departure time

checking greyhounds' general health and condition

ensuring required racing documents are available at race meeting

organising and briefing attendants and catchers, including:

routine race meeting procedures

safety procedures at race meeting

organising gear, including bedding, rug and water.

Race meeting protocols and procedures will include:

appropriate presentation of greyhounds, attendants, trainers and others at race meetings

arriving at race meeting in time for kennelling

ensuring safety of greyhounds and people

completing kennelling procedures

documentation requirements, including:

greyhound registration certificate

attendant and trainer registration

prior to race run procedures, including:

collecting greyhound from kennels and preparing

parading greyhound

starting box loading

post-race procedures, including:

catching pen

care and welfare of greyhound

inquiries and appeals

re-kennelling

swabbing procedures

post-race transportation

providing post-transport care for greyhounds.

Officials' directions likely during race meetings will include:

asking for greyhound or attendant documentation

directing greyhound kennelling procedures

instructing patrons in case of an emergency

instructing trainer to present greyhound for swabbing

instructing trainer to present for an inquiry

questioning on any aspect of conduct of race meeting

questioning trainer on health or injury status of greyhound

instructing attendants during kennelling, pre and post-race run procedures.

Information required by greyhound owners includes:

prospects of greyhound in race

protocols for addressing and complying with officials' instructions

required protocols and safety procedures in parading and presentation areas

routine procedures for conducting a race meeting

owner rights in an inquiry or appeal.

Assessment of greyhound's recovery will include:

checking for heat or swelling after cool down

checking for signs of injury or soreness after race

monitoring greyhound's recovery rate through vital signs.

Assessment of racing condition and performance will include:

appetite and general health and wellbeing, including:

brightness of eyes and condition of coat

muscle definition

recovery time after exercise

weight of greyhound

aerobic performance

box draw and box manners

quality of opposition

sex of greyhound

stage of preparation

trialling and racing times.

Variables that impact on performance may include:

housing conditions for greyhound

influence of field position

interference

level of fitness and wellbeing of greyhound

manner in which race was run

speed of race

starting position

temperament of greyhound

track surface and condition

travelling conditions for greyhound

type of race

weather and temperature.

Future race and training plans are prepared with consideration to:

checking greyhound's health and fitness via blood and other tests

consulting with owners

determining if greyhound is better suited to a different race class

determining if training or conditioning needs to be modified, for example:

more or less work

varying type of work

race performance during current preparation

spelling the greyhound

rationalising whether greyhound should continue to race.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Greyhounds' training performance against racing goals is reviewed. 
Racing program plans for individual greyhounds are developed. 
Qualifying trials for greyhounds are organised. 
Greyhounds are nominatedfor races. 
Race meeting preparations are planned and relayed to staff. 
Race meeting protocols and procedures are completed. 
Race meeting officials' directions are followed. 
Greyhound owners are advised of race meeting information and procedures. 
Greyhounds' recovery is assessed and recorded. 
Racing condition and performance of greyhounds are assessed and recorded. 
Variables that impact on performance are evaluated. 
Future race and training plans are prepared. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

RGRPSG404A - Trial and race greyhounds
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

RGRPSG404A - Trial and race greyhounds

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: