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 planning and implementing racing schedules to trial and race horses

implementation of protocols, procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient trialling and racing of horses

working with others to implement 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 racing stable, track and race meeting environments.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency must be assessed in a racing workplace that provides access to horses that are being educated and trained in a commercial racing stable 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 harness or thoroughbred horses that are currently in training

commercial racing training establishments, safe racetrack areas, race meetings and related facilities

materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to trial and race horses, including rules of racing and approved gear

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.

Where performance is not directly observed any evidence should be authenticated by supervisors or other appropriate persons, at least one of whom should be approved by the State Principal Racing Authority.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

RGRPSH501A Plan and adapt training and conditioning programs for racehorses

RGRPSH502A Plan and implement education of horses 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).

Required skills

communicating with staff, horse health specialists and others using assertive communication techniques to gather and relay information related to trialling and racing horses

complying with animal welfare policies when trialling or racing horses

complying with directions of officials and rules of racing

ensuring OHS workplace procedures are followed

ensuring owners are kept informed of racing plans and arrangements for their horses

identifying possible options for improving race performance

incorporating safe operating procedures into all instructions

informing staff of race meeting preparation and post-meeting requirements for horses

investigating possible causes of poor performance

planning racing program or schedule for individual horses, including spacing of trials and races

presenting horses in a fit and healthy state 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 races for individual horses

selecting corrective gear or equipment to improve the racing performance of individual horses

selecting suitable riders or drivers for individual horses in trials and races

written communication skills to complete workplace documentation and reports.

Required knowledge

communication procedures within stable and wider racing industry

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

license and registration requirements for staff and horses

OHS obligations and racing industry safe operating procedures

protocols and procedures for entering horses for races

protocols and procedures for racing horses

purpose of using appropriate personal protective equipment

racing industry animal welfare requirements

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

rules of racing.

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 horses. Workplaces include harness or thoroughbred stables and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.

Race meeting program and race classes include:

race distance

race start type

race location, including:

country

metropolitan

picnic

provincial

harness race classes:

pacing and trotting (all of the categories below can apply to either race style)

2 year old

3 year old

4 year old

claiming

derby

graduation

heat

invitation

match race

metropolitan and country races:

classes 1 to 10

mobile start

show

sires stake

standing start

thoroughbred race classes:

group

handicap

listed

open

special condition

restricted races:

maiden

trophy

classes A to D

classes 1 to 6.

Factors to be considered when trialling horses include:

determining exercise required prior to trial

need to trial in order to educate horse for racing

reason for trial, for example:

previously banned from racing

top off fitness

rider or driver availability

time frame before targeted race meeting

trial calendars and opportunities to trial on a particular track

weather and track conditions.

Performance in trial is reviewed using:

comments from rider or driver

quality of trial field

track conditions

track record

trial time.

Rider or driver is engaged for a race by:

determining which riders or drivers are available

selecting rider based on weight claim (thoroughbred)

selecting rider or driver based on skill with particular horse temperament or style of racing

selecting rider or driver on experience with nominated race or race location.

Race meeting preparations will include:

advising officials:

if horse is not available to run

race strategies

gear changes

arranging accommodation for horse and staff if required

arranging transportation to and from race meeting

briefing staff on:

allocation of staff for race meeting and home stable duties

safety procedures at race meeting

routine procedures of conducting a race, including:

collecting horses as they return to parade area

drug testing

grooming horses

handing over control of horse to rider or driver

harnessing up or saddling horses

identifying horses

parading horses prior to start

restrictions on feeding and watering horses at race meeting

supervising horses during race meeting

checking track and weather conditions

confirming horse is ready to run by:

checking hoof condition and shoeing

conducting out of competition drug tests if required

reviewing health, eating and drinking

reviewing performance in trackwork

determining exercise required prior to race.

Protocols and procedures that apply to race meetings include:

accepting horses for races

answering questions and attending inquiries as required by stewards

arriving at race meeting in given time frame

attending horse in tie-up stalls

attending inquiries to assist apprentice or junior driver during inquiries

collecting horse post-race

collecting saddle (thoroughbred) and number from jockey or driver room

completing stable returns

complying with drug testing protocols

ensuring self and staff attending race meeting are registered, have required identification and are appropriately attired

ensuring shoes, plates or no shoes are approved for racing

nominating horses for races

notifying stewards of race instructions for rider or driver

parading in required time

parading winners according to officials' instructions

presenting horse to race in good health and well-groomed

providing identification for horse at race meeting

providing riders or drivers with race instructions

registering race colours of owners

saddling up or tacking up with clean, well-fitting approved gear that is in good repair

sewing bandages.

Types of officials' directions likely to be made during race meetings include:

asking for documentation of horses

instructing participants to move from nominated area

instructing patrons in case of an emergency or safety issue

instructing patrons to leave racetrack venue

instructing race meeting veterinarian or farrier to attend, inspect or treat horse

instructing trainer to present horse for pre or post-race drug testing

questioning on any aspect of conduct of race meeting

questioning trainer on health or injury status of horse pre and post-race

questioning trainer on race strategies or other instructions to rider or driver.

Information required by racehorse owners includes:

prospects of horse in race

protocols for addressing and complying with officials' instructions

required protocols (including dress standards) and safety procedures in parade or presentation areas

routine procedures of conducting a race, including:

identification

parading

meeting rider or driver

horses sent to start

race run

horses return to parade area

drug testing

their rights in protests, appeals or inquiries

use of mobile phones.

Assessment of horse's recovery will include:

checking for heat or swelling after cool down

checking for signs of injury after race

monitoring horse's recovery rate through vital signs

checking horse movement and behaviour during exercise 48 hours post-race

monitoring horse response to exercise in week post-race

monitoring horse's eating and drinking habits 24 hours post-race

reviewing horse's behaviour for signs of distress or pain.

Trial and race performance can be assessed by:

comparing quality of race field to nominated horse

considering track and weather conditions, and trial or race incidents that affected horse's performance

expected race place compared to actual

race winner time compared to nominated horse time

reviewing race video for performance in various stages of race

rider or driver comments

track record for race distance.

Future race and training plans are prepared with consideration to:

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

consulting with owners

determining if horse is better suited to racing in opposite direction (thoroughbred)

determining if race class for next race should be same, higher or lower

determining if training and conditioning need to be modified, for example:

more or less work

varying type of work

giving horse a short or extended spell

race performance during current preparation

rationalising whether horse should continue racing

selecting another rider or driver.