Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to provide racehorse handicappers with the skills and knowledge to interpret race performance, rank race performance and compile and update handicapping records. The unit includes procedures related to collecting, analysing and organising information to ensure the most ethical means of determining the application of handicapping protocols that comply with rules of racing.

This unit of competency operates in workplace environments of racing administration, stables, racecourses and public areas.

Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this unit. Check with your State Principal Racing Authority for current license or registration requirements.

Application of the unit 

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.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

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 AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

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.

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).

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.

Unit Sector 

Harness and thoroughbred racing codes

Co-requisite units 

Functional Area 

Racing performance services