Required skills

anticipating and responding rapidly to changed circumstances in a race including emergency situations

applying safe handling and work practices when dealing with horses

assessing own performance

communicating with stewards racing officials horse trainer and others using assertive communication techniques to gather interpret and relay information related to driving horses in races

completing duties in accordance with safe operating procedures and nominated time frame

controlling a variety of horses during races at different tracks and under different circumstances and track conditions

driving horses in races

evaluating track features

following instructions

following rules of racing

identifying horse behaviour and action

identifying and correctly using different items of personal protective equipment

identifying preparing and correctly using different items of gear and equipment and assessing condition of same in terms of safe use and need for repair

implementing sound race strategies and meeting contingencies during race

judging and maintaining pace

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

reporting problems promptly

using whip effectively following rules of racing and animal welfare guidelines

written communication skills to complete workplace documentation and reports

Required knowledge

Australian and local rules of racing and regulations pertaining to race driving

communication procedures with race meeting personnel and wider racing industry

common racehorse behaviour traits

drug testing procedures

form of racing horses

handicapping system

industry terminology related to handling and racing horses

personal protective equipment and purpose for its use

pre and postrace procedures

predicted behaviour or racing style of opposition horses in race

race gear

race driving strategies

race injury to horses

race meeting documentation

racing industry animal welfare requirements

racing industry safety requirements including safe operating procedures

starting procedures for standing and mobile starts

scoreup procedures

track surfaces

types and classes of races

warmup procedures

whip use

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 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 driving in races

demonstration of driving skills suitable for race driving and making appropriate judgement calls on driving strategies based on a range of common racing scenarios

implementation of procedures and timely techniques to complete race driving tasks safely effectively and efficiently

working with others to undertake and complete race driving tasks that meet required outcomes

Evidence should be collected over a period of time using a range of horses of different ages and sexes in different circumstances and in different racing stable and track 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 horses that are currently in training

commercial racing training establishments racetracks and registered race meetings

materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidates ability to demonstrate race driving skills

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 andor oral assessment of candidates required knowledge

observed and firsthand testimonial evidence of candidates 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 at least one of whom should be approved by the State Principal Harness Racing Authority

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 eg literacy and numeracy demands and the needs of particular target groups eg 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

The range statement provides details of how this competency can be used in the workplaces of the racing industry to prepare to drive horses in races. Workplaces include harness stables and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.

Race gear will include:

Race gear preparation and checking for safetymay include:

Pre and post-race procedures may include:

Starting procedures will include:

Form of own horse and other horses may include:

Racing behaviour of own horse and other horses may include:

Appropriate driving skills may include:

Strategies may require modification because:

Evaluating and reporting horse's race performance may include:

Critical incidents may include:

Protocol for communicating performance may include:

Post-race assessment of own performance may include: