Elements and Performance Criteria
- Prepare for race starts
- Confirm race fields and distances with racing club officials or instructions
- Note past problems with particular horses during loading of barriers
- Confirm operation of barriers and other start equipment prior to commencement of race meeting
- Organise contingency plans in case of malfunction in start equipment
- Interpret and comply with rules of racing relating to starting a race
- Identify hazards and assess and control risks associated with the start of a race to minimise risk of injury according to safe operating procedures
- Relay and allocate race meeting duties and instructions to staff
- Supervise pre-start activities
- Identify and verify starters and note approved gear and colours
- Send horses to start under supervision of clerk of course
- Confirm race start time with stewards
- Determine order of loading barriers, and relay to staff
- Carry out barrier loading within time and safety constraints using approved methods and personal protective equipment and with consideration to public perception of non-verbal signals and handling techniques
- Manage incidents to minimise risk of injury to staff and horses and report to stewards and veterinarian
- Declare non-starters after conferring with stewards
- Start race and complete post-race activities
- Report possible delay in race time to stewards
- Seek race start permission from stewards
- Initiate race start as soon as starters are loaded and ready
- Provide feedback on staff performance in a timely and positive manner
- Present barrier loading and race start reports to stewards according to race club protocols
- Check barrier or start equipment for damage and/or maintenance requirements prior to shutting down
- Report repairs or maintenance requirements to race club in required reporting format