This unit of competency supports racing industry personnel who are required to apply the handicapping policy to the classification of racehorses for a racing governing body as part of their job role.

Competencies attained in this unit apply to the harness or thoroughbred code of the industry. Consequently when performance criteria are applied they will relate to the harness or thoroughbred code, and statements of attainment for this unit will reflect this distinction.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Interpret race performances.

1. Performance of horses is analysed.

2. Speed maps are interpreted.

Rank race performances.

3. Race class structure is used to compare performances.

4. Track ratings and weather conditions are related to race performance.

5. Experience and/or age of runner and incidents within the race are considered.

6. Barrier draw and distance of race are considered.

Handicapping records are compiled and maintained.

7. Race fields are ranked using handicapping system .

8. Records of performance are prepared and kept up to date.

9. Computer-based and/or hard copy records are maintained.

10. Appropriate communication skills are employed when dealing with racing participants.

11. Integrity and ethical principles are employed during application of handicapping protocols and procedures and other duties.

12. Confidentiality of decisions and records is maintained.

Required skills

accurate computer skills, including:

data entry

spreadsheet

word processing

applying OHS and environmental work procedures

communicating with stewards, racing officials, licensed and registered personnel and others using assertive communication techniques to gather, interpret and relay information relating to racehorse handicapping requirements

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

complying with organisational policies and procedures

consulting concisely and effectively with customers, colleagues and team members

evaluating advantages or disadvantages of a variety of potential solutions to resolve problems

identifying, by observation of live racing and/or video, examples of fair and legal race strategies and any rapid alteration of an animal's position in race field

interpreting racing jargon, including classes and distances of racehorse races

making effective decisions based on handicapping policies, current performance and industry guidelines

operating a range of office equipment and technology

reading and interpreting race reports, form guides and other records of race performance

reading and interpreting workplace documentation, including rules of racing and handicapping policies

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

using race replay equipment including video, DVD and other sources to assess individual horse performance during various stages of the race

visual acuity to identify colours and individual animals

written communication skills to complete workplace documentation and reports.

Required knowledge

communication procedures, including reporting lines within the workplace and wider racing industry

ethical conduct standards of relevant racing principal authority

effect of track conditions and ratings, course layout and rail placement on animal performance

factors that affect racehorse performance

race form, class structure and track ratings

hazards and potential hazards in the workplace and risk control procedures

industry terminology related to racehorse handicapping and wider racing industry

OHS and environmental legislative requirements

organisational policies and procedures

principles of effective communication, including dealing with conflict and grievance resolution

procedures for operation and maintenance of office equipment and technology

reporting requirements for irregularities and problems

rules of racing and handicapping regulations relevant to the racing code.

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 handicapping racehorses for races

implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and accurate application of handicapping procedures

working with others to undertake and complete procedures that meet required outcomes.

Evidence should be collected over a period of time in a range of workplace-relevant 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:

industry supervised access to racing administration offices and racecourses relevant to the applicable racing code

materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to complete race handicapping procedures

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.

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).

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, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Factors taken into account when performance of horses is analysed may include:

age of horse

barrier draw

class of race

driver or rider error and experience

gear usage

horse racing behaviour, including:

appearing to falter

changing stride

checking

crowding

climbing

laying-in or hanging

losing ground

over-racing

racing ungenerously

racing wide

steadying off the heels

race distance

sectional times

track condition and rating

variety of tracks

weather conditions.

Speed maps may be prepared by:

referring to documentation, including:

form guides

race books

stewards' reports

referring to other form review methods, including:

computer for internet

DVD and video replays of races, trials and trackwork.

Race class structure to compare performance may take into account:

racing code

local and international structures.

Incidents within the race may include:

careless driving or riding

changes in strategies

injury in running

lack of race fitness

loss of driver or rider

missing the start.

Handicapping system considerations may include:

balloting conditions

HaRVEY harness racing software

ratings-based

regional weights, for example:

country

provincial

metropolitan

set weights

weight for age.

Appropriate communications skills when dealing with racing participants will include:

presenting information in logical order

using body language and voice that is assertive but not aggressive

using language that is not patronising but at suitable level

using non-discriminatory language

using effective listening and speaking skills

verifying what has been said or done and why it has been said or done.

Integrity and ethical principles are required for:

handicappers to demonstrate that they have applied handicapping policy consistently to all racehorses

handicappers not making decisions based on factors other than the handicapping policy, such as:

applying a selection criterion other than the handicapping policy

friendships or disputes with owners or trainers

subjective rather than objective evaluation of performance

handicappers conducting their work and private life in such a way as to avoid attempts of bribery or blackmail, or threats of harm

owners, trainers and the betting public to have confidence in the handicapping system.

Confidentiality of decisions is important due to:

certain information is private and should not be disclosed to others who may deliberately or inadvertently cause embarrassment or financial loss to others

information given to certain people before others are advised can give some people an unfair advantage

information that is not protected may be distributed out of sequence or with omissions or unauthorised additions that can distort the facts or misrepresent a person's intention or reputation.

Unit Sector

Harness and thoroughbred racing codes

This unit contains employability skills.