THE state government says the the Director of Racing Tony Murray was just doing his job when he investigated an incident involving the Premier's greyhound.
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Toolong Terror, bought by a four-man syndicate including Premier David Bartlett in late March, was subject to a stewards' investigation after winning a race in Hobart in April.
The day after the race it was found paperwork confirming Toolong Terror's change of ownership had not been fully finalised before the dog raced.
As a result, the trainer was found guilty of an offence under the rules of racing in that he nominated and presented a greyhound with a misleading description of the actual owners and was fined $400.
The chief steward also provided a report to Mr Murray, in which she suggested the greyhound was ineligible to compete in the event.
After deciding the relevant rule of racing was unclear, Mr Murray sought advice from the Solicitor-General, who advised that any determination by the stewards that the greyhound was ineligible to compete could be successfully challenged.
The stewards have since taken no action on the greyhound's eligibility.
But Bass Greens MHA Kim Booth has questioned the director's intervention, saying it was unprecedented.
"The rules of racing were clearly broken by the Premier's dog racing syndicate Li'l Ricky," Mr Booth said.
"This matter goes right to the heart of the integrity of racing, as all participants are entitled to expect the highest standards of probity, accountability and equal treatment, free of political interference, nepotism or cronyism."
In Parliament, Racing Minister Bryan Green dismissed Mr Booth's inference that the director of racing had intervened because the Premier's dog was involved.
"In accordance with the statutory role to ensure the rules of racing were properly enforced the director sought advice from the Solicitor-General," he said.
Mr Bartlett said the matter was handled independently.