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 preparing to drive in races

demonstration of driving skills for standing and mobile starts, driving in a field and applying push out techniques

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

interpreting documentation and other sources of racing information to evaluate and assess individual horse's expected performance in a race

working with others to undertake and complete preparation for 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.

This unit is largely practical in nature. 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, and training and racetracks

materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's skills related to preparing for race driving

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, at least one of whom should be approved by the State Principal 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 (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

applying safe handling and work practices when dealing with horses

assessing track shape and surface

communicating with employer, supervisor, co-workers and others using assertive communication techniques to gather, interpret and relay information related to preparing to drive horses

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

driving techniques for standing starts, mobile starts and driving in a field of horses

following instructions

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

identifying and interpreting industry jargon and abbreviations

observing pre and post-race procedures

predicting horse location within race field during stages of a race using previous form

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

researching classes of races.

Required knowledge

classes of races

communication procedures within stable and wider racing industry

drug testing procedures

industry terminology related to handling and racing horses

permits and license requirements to drive in races

potential race problems and suitable evasive action techniques

purpose of using appropriate personal protective equipment

race nomination, acceptance and scratching documents and procedures

racing industry animal welfare requirements

racing industry safety requirements, including safe operating procedures

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 harness racing industry to assess the skills required to prepare for race driving. Workplaces include harness stables and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.

Industry jargon and abbreviations will include:

terminology related to:

action and behaviour of horses during race

age and experience of horses

inquiries into the running of races

position in a race

protests

race classes

race finish position of runners

race incidents

stages of a race

track conditions.

Factors that can affect race outcomes may include:

barrier draws

fitness of horse and level of education

interference

race strategies

race tempo

wheels locking.

Reports may include:

form guides

form reports produced by specialists

internet

live race observations

race books

steward reports

verbal reports from drivers, trainers or others

videos.

Individual horse's racing style may include:

coming from behind

first up race form

front runners

number of starts per preparation

score-up and start manners

sprint and staying race behaviour.

Applying for a license may include:

age of applicant

driving skill assessments

license class requirements.

Rules related to safe and legal race driving may include:

careless, improper, incompetent or foul driving

crossing only when clear of other horses

drug testing procedures for drivers and horses

keeping horse straight

driving horse calmly and safely to and from race stalls

principles of animal welfare

whip use.

Standing starts will include:

balance and control of horse and sulky prior to start

complying with clerk of course and starter's directions

control and balance at release of starting stands

adjusting gait in case of horse breaking

gaining a field position.

Mobile starts will include:

score-up procedure prior to start

complying with clerk of course and starter's directions

control and balance at release of starting gate

adjusting gait in case of horse breaking

gaining a field position.

Driving in a field of horses will include:

maintaining a safe distance from other horses when:

behind horse in front

crossing horse

side by side.

Pushing out will include:

adhering to rules of racing relating to push outs

applying safe pushing out techniques.