CCG | Certificate IV in Racing (Harness Race Driver)

Equine

Equine Courses

Short Courses

Short Course List

Tailored programs for Employers

More information

Certificate IV in Racing (Harness Race Driver)

Course Code: RGR40308

Course Description

The course is delivered at the Gippsland Harness Training Centre which is a fully operational racing stables with school horses to suit all levels. This course provides the skills to apply to become a Harness Race Driver licenced by the harness race industry and compete in industry regulated competition. You will be provided with the opportunity to learn how to drive a harness racehorse and successful graduates may apply for an entry level race driving licence with Harness Racing Victoria.

Paricipants who wish to enter this course must hold RGR30208 Certificate III in Racing (Advanced Stable hand) or demonstrate they have the equivalent skills and knowledge level directly against the Certificate III in Racing (Advanced Stable hand).

CCG gratefully acknowledges the financial contribution and continuing support from Harness Racing Victoria for the delivery of the equine programs at the GHTC.

Click on the appropriate Course Information Sheet/s below for further details.

Classroom training: Course information

Apply Now Contact Us

Or you can call us on (03) 5622 6000 during business hours

Meet our trainers

Des Hughes

Equine

For Des Hughes harness racing and helping others to train for careers with horses has been a life passion.

Des was the driving force behind the establishment of the Gippsland Harness Training Centre at Warragul almost 20 years ago when training for newcomers to the industry was virtually non-existent.

The fully operational racing stable trains students to gain accredited skills to work in careers with horses and has shaped the racing careers of hundreds.

"You can go to any harness race meeting in Victoria and you’ll see graduates of our Centre working as drivers, trainers, and stable hands. I’m proud to be a part of that," Des said.

In 2014 Des received a Distinguished Service Medal at the Gordon Rothacker Medal night for the harness industry in Melbourne.

Meet more trainers

Student stories

Mariah Lakeman

“I’ve earned four qualifications since I came to the Gippsland Harness Training Centre and I’m now ready to train horses.”

Mariah Lakeman won the 2015 Student of the Year Award sponsored by the Warragul and District Light Harness Club for her outstanding achievement. She has also been a role model and mentor student volunteering her time as an assistant trainer to new VET in School students.

Mariah said she was ready to take the skills and knowledge she has learned to start training horses.

“The Centre has been my life since I was in Year 11 when I took up a Certificate II Stable hand as a VET in Schools student. I returned the following year to complete a Certificate III Advanced Stable hand course and went onto attain Certificate IV Racehorse Driver and Certificate IV Racehorse Trainer qualifications.

“I can’t keep away from this place. The support you get here is amazing and the horses are everything. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t been around horses before the staff will support you to learn and train safely.”

See more student stories