Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) has suspended all racing and trialling activity at Maitland and has written to the track's owners and operators, the Greyhound Breeders and Owners Association (GBOTA), seeking immediate explanations as part of an investigation into incidents at Monday night's meeting.
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It follows falls in three successive races which resulted in two greyhounds being euthanised and a third seriously injured.
The incidents came at the fourth meeting at Maitland since racing resumed there on April 6 following an 18-day closure under a COVID-19 regionalisation plan.
GRNSW Chief Executive Officer Mr Tony Mestrov has been quick to act.
"Immediately following the Maitland race meeting last night, I ordered a full investigation as to causation of events that resulted in the unfortunate euthanising of two greyhounds," he said in a statement.
"GRNSW has dispatched its own expert track team to Maitland this morning and they will conduct a full audit of track work and interview any GBOTA personnel involved in the running of its venue. I have also today appointed an independent expert on track standards to inspect and provide a full independent report to GRNSW.
"At the same time, I have requested a parallel investigation by GBOTA, as the track owner and operator.
"Pending results of the investigations, GRNSW has suspended all racing and trialling at Maitland."
The surface, which had been harrowed six days earlier, was inspected by stewards before the meeting and they reported that "although soft, the track was not shifty and ... deemed safe".
The incidents occurred in races four and six when dogs collided. In race five there was another incident which resulted in a dog fracturing its hock.
After race six the meeting was abandoned.
In light of the incidents the Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds (CPG) has renewed calls to ban greyhound racing altogether.
