Greyhound racing bosses have called an immediate halt to racing at the Whanganui track that has seen a spate of recent injuries.
In a significant move to improve greyhound welfare, Greyhound Racing New Zealand has closed Hatrick Raceway at Whanganui indefinitely pending an independent review.
The decision was made in consultation with the Racing Integrity Board and comes after GRNZ vowed to improve track safety and the overall welfare of the dogs following a highly-critical report of the industry last month that had Racing Minister Grant Robertson demanding change.
Robertson effectively put the greyhound code on notice that failure to implement safer practices and to work on the rehoming of retired dogs would threaten the future of the industry.
The closure of the Whanganui track, which is a regular Friday night fixture on the New Zealand racing calendar, is a huge step and one that suggests GRNZ have heeded Robertson's warning.