Required skills

communicating with race meeting staff stewards licensed and registered personnel and others using assertive communication techniques to gather interpret and relay information related to thoroughbred racing starts

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

complying with animal welfare legislation

evaluating risks associated with race meeting starts and race day operations

giving evidence in racing inquiries and investigations

identifying individual horses using industry approved terminology records and signalment

identifying injured or distressed horses that require assistance

making effective decisions and resolving routine problems within the bounds of the duties and responsibilities of a race meeting starter

operating starting equipment

overseeing safe handling and work practices when dealing with horses

reading and interpreting racing documents relating to race distances race fields track conditions horse identification and performance records

reading and interpreting workplace documentation including rules of racing and starting procedures

recognising damaged or defective gear

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

reporting incidents to stewards in a timely manner

resolving disputes according to thoroughbred racing protocols and procedures

teamwork skills to ensure completion of job tasks

working in a high pressure environment

written communication skills to complete workplace documentation and reports

Required knowledge

approved gear

common features of injury illness and distress in horses

communication procedures within the race meeting and wider racing industry

equipment used in work role and the procedures for its operation and maintenance

horse handling and controlling techniques

OHS and environmental legislative requirements

organisational policies and procedures

positive and effective communication strategies used to work with a team deal with conflicts and resolve disputes

racing industry animal welfare requirements

racing industry safety requirements including safe operating procedures

range of behaviour traits exhibited by horses

relevant rules of racing

reporting requirements for irregularities and problems

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 workplacerelevant 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 candidates 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 andor oral assessment of candidates required knowledge

observed documented 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

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

RGRCMNA Comply with the rules of racing and related protocols

RGRCMN001A Comply with the rules of racing and related protocols.

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

Past problems with particular horses during loading may include:

Operation of barriers and other start equipment check may include:

Rules of racing in relation to race starts may include:

Hazards associated with start of the race may include:

OHS and racing safe operating procedures may include:

Duties and instructions relayed to staff may include:

Horses are identified by:

Approved gear may include:

Barrier loading may include:

Reports are presented to stewards and race club: