Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to perform the race meeting or trial duties of a clerk of the course, involving the process of preparing for the race meeting, assisting in the start of races and trials, monitoring horses throughout all stages of the race or trial, and assisting in emergency and post-race procedures.
The unit applies to racing industry personnel and others authorised to perform clerk of course duties at harness or thoroughbred race meetings and trials, in work environments of racing stables, paddocks, yards, racecourses and public areas.
All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, in accordance with applicable state/territory animal welfare and workplace health and safety legislative requirements.
No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements | Performance Criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Prepare for race meeting or trial | 1.1 Condition and feed horses to ensure their fitness to complete the duties of a clerk of the course mount 1.2 Ensure horses are presented clean, well-groomed, sound and in good health 1.3 Clean and ensure horse gear is fitted correctly and is in good repair 1.4 Ensure personal presentation and dress is appropriate to the status of the race meeting or trial and compliant with racing protocols and procedures 1.5 Plan race meeting or trial, ensuring that all activities comply with racing safety protocols and procedures, including the use, fit and maintenance of personal protective equipment |
2. Assist in the start of races or trials | 2.1 Verify race fields with starter and/or stewards 2.2 Confirm identification of starters according to procedures 2.3 Escort horses to start 2.4 Assist starter and drivers or riders prior to start 2.5 Employ effective strategies to assist strappers, drivers, riders, starter, barrier staff, farrier or veterinarian |
3. Monitor horses throughout all stages of the race or trial | 3.1 Assess opportunities for horses to escape and/or cause injury, and apply strategies to minimise risks during racing or trial activities 3.2 Monitor and direct racing participants to comply with racing safety protocols and procedures to avoid incidents and injury during racing activities 3.3 Follow racing safe operating procedures in handling, escorting and catching horses to minimise the risk of injury to horses and racing participants 3.4 Restrain loose and/or injured horses |
4. Assist in post-race procedures | 4.1 Meet and escort winning driver or rider to entrance of mounting yard or birdcage enclosure 4.2 Supervise safe return of horses to stables in line with workplace practices 4.3 Record and report outcomes of any race or trial incidents to starter and/or stewards in a manner that complies with workplace practices |
Foundation Skills
This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential for performance in this unit of competency but are not explicit in the performance criteria.
Skill | Description |
Writing | Record and report incidents accurately using clear and appropriate language and racing industry terminology |
Oral communication | Explain detailed information clearly to stewards, racing officials, licensed and registered personnel and others related to clerk of course duties Use clear language and concepts, and tone and pace appropriate for the audience and purpose when communicating with race officials and handlers |
Interact with others | Cooperate with others and contribute to work practices where joint outcomes are expected |
Get the work done | Make routine decisions and implement standard procedures for routine tasks Address less predictable problems and initiate standard procedures in response, applying problem-solving processes in determining a solution |
Sectors
Racing performance (ROP)