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Demonstrate knowledge of harness racing, and the handicapping system

Level / 4
Credits / 5

PurposeThis unit standard is for people who may be seeking licensing within the harness racing industry. It is designed to provide the knowledge required by independent operators to comply with the New Zealand Rules of Harness Racing under the Racing Act 2003.

People credited with this unit standard are able to explain: the national structure that governs the harness racing industry; the organisations associated with Harness Racing industry, and explain their forms; the purpose and function of the New Zealand Rules of Harness Racing and the Harness Racing Weekly; and the racing programme structure, classes, and handicapping system used in New Zealand harness racing.

Subfield / Equine
Domain / Harness Racing
Status / Registered
Status date / 26 November 2007
Date version published / 26 November 2007
Planned review date / 31 December 2011
Entry information / Open.
Accreditation / Evaluation of documentation and visit by NZQA and industry.
Standard setting body (SSB) / Primary Industry Training Organisation
Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP) reference / 0018

This AMAP can be accessed at

Special notes

1Legislation and rules relevant to this unit standard include but is not limited to - Racing Act 2003, and the New Zealand Rules of Harness Racing, and their subsequent amendments.

2Forms and contact addresses and telephone numbers of organisations associated with the Harness Racing industry can be obtained from Harness Racing New Zealand Inc., PO Box 459, Christchurch. Telephone: 03 964 1200.

Elements and performance criteria

Element 1

Explain the national structure that governs the harness racing industry.

Performance criteria

1.1Explanation describes the relationship and functions of bodies that govern the New Zealand racing industry.

RangeGovernment, Minister of Racing, Judicial Control Authority, Totalisator Agency Board, New Zealand Racing Board.

Element 2

Explain the organisations associated with the Harness Racing industry, and their forms.

RangeHarness Racing New Zealand, Cadet Scheme, Standardbred Breeders, New Zealand Trotting Owners, Horsemens Associations.

Performance criteria

2.1Explanation describes the relationship between organisations associated with harness racing.

2.2Explanation describes the functions of each organisation associated with harness racing.

2.3Explanation identifies the purpose and requirements of forms available for the administration of the harness racing industry.

Element 3

Explain the purpose and function of the New Zealand Rules of Harness Racing and the Harness Racing Weekly.

Performance criteria

3.1Explanation describes the rationale of the New Zealand Rules of Harness Racing.

3.2Explanation identifies four officials that can advise on the interpretation of the New Zealand Rules of Harness Racing, and provides an example of where assistance in interpretation may be sought from each official.

3.3Explanation identifies the procedures to follow for amending the New Zealand Rules of Harness Racing.

3.4Explanation identifies roles of personnel who are bound by the New Zealand Rules of Harness Racing.

3.5Explanation describes the purpose and content of the Harness Racing Weekly.

Element 4

Explain the harness racing programme structure, classes, and handicapping system used in NewZealand harness racing.

Performance criteria

4.1The organisations responsible for formulating the structure of the racing programme are identified and described in accordance with the New Zealand Rules of Harness Racing.

4.2The roles and functions of the Racing Clubs and the Handicapper in race programming are described in accordance with the New Zealand Rules of Harness Racing.

4.3The classes of races are identified, and eligibility criteria for each class are described in accordance with the New Zealand Rules of Harness Racing.

4.4Key functions and duties of the Handicapper are identified and described in accordance with the New Zealand Rules of Harness Racing.

4.5Components of the system used by the Handicapper to determine allotted handicaps are explained in accordance with the New Zealand Rules of Harness Racing.

Rangeincludes but is not limited to - junior driver concessions, preferential barrier draw, age, sex, money earned.

Please note

Providers must be accredited by NZQA, or an inter-institutional body with delegated authority for quality assurance, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.

Industry Training Organisations must be accredited by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.

Accredited providers and Industry Training Organisations assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.

Accreditation requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). The AMAP also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.

Comments on this unit standard

Please contact Primary Industry Training Organisation you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.

 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018