Elements and Performance Criteria

RANGE STATEMENT
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.

EVIDENCE GUIDE
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).