Prepare and transport Kestrel Comet to Pakenham

You are the senior stablehand and strapper for the Pakenham runner.

Simulated workplaceIntermediate missionCAQA Silverstride Racing and Breeding

What is going on

Kestrel Comet has accepted for race 3 at Pakenham on 18 September 2026. The float departs at 10:30 am. A partition pin was found unsecured on a trip in August and the checklist was changed, and a near miss at float bay 3 is still under investigation. Kestrel Comet is on an omeprazole course, and the Racing Manager wants the withholding position confirmed in writing before departure. The owner syndicate expects an update within 24 hours of the race. You are responsible for the pre-departure checks, loading, attendance at the course, the swab stall if directed, and the return records.

Liam Petrakis, Racing Manager
Subject: Pakenham on 18 September, transport and race day plan

Kestrel Comet has accepted for Pakenham race 3 on 18 September. I need you to run the transport and race day preparation. Work through the Horse Transport and Race Day Procedure, complete the float pre-start and gear checklist, confirm the horse is clear in the Treatment and Medication Log, and update the Nominations and Race Entries record with the departure time and strapper. Please also draft the owner update using the template so it can go out within 24 hours of the race. Flag anything you cannot confirm by Wednesday.

Your brief

Plan and carry out the transport and race day attendance for Kestrel Comet to the Horse Transport and Race Day Procedure, confirm the horse is fit and clear to race, keep the required records before, during and after the trip, and draft the owner update.

Work through it

You do not need to do it all. Doing a few of these will show you what the work is like. Your ticks and notes stay on this device.

Read the Horse Transport and Race Day Procedure and prepare a pre-departure checklist covering the float, the gear bag, papers and the horse's fitness sign-off.
Check the Treatment and Medication Log for Kestrel Comet and write a one-paragraph confirmation to the Racing Manager on whether any withholding period affects the start.
Update the Nominations and Race Entries record with the departure time, driver, strapper and float allocation.
Describe the loading sequence at float bay 3 for two handlers, including the controls added after the near miss on 8 September.
Plan the route and stops, and state what you do if the horse becomes distressed in transit.
List your duties at the course from arrival to the swab stall and explain how you handle a request from stewards for a gear change.
On return, record the horse's condition and time of return in the Horse Register and enter any incident in the Incident and Hazard Register.
Draft the post-race owner update on the Owner Update Report Template for approval by the Head Trainer.

My notes: what did I enjoy, and what surprised me?

What someone in this role would produce

Completed pre-departure checklist
Written withholding confirmation to the Racing Manager
Updated Nominations and Race Entries and Horse Register records
Draft owner update on the template

Printing this is a record of what you explored. It is not a certificate or a qualification.