Climate activist group Extinction Rebellion Victoria has praised the dumping of 1,000 liters of mud at Flemington Racecourse on Tuesday morning by an unknown vandal, just hours before the $8 million Melbourne Cup was held.
Racing Victoria was forced to make quick repairs to the racecourse after damage was discovered at the 1500m mark.
WATCH VIDEO ABOVE: Vandal dumps ‘oily sludge’ at Flemington ahead of Melbourne Cup.
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“The RV Stewards have assessed the Flemington track after some surface damage was reported at the 1500m mark,” an RV statement said.
“VRC track staff have carried out repair work.
“The track has been deemed safe for racing by the RV Stewards with no impact on the running of today’s meeting.”
Extinction Rebellion shared footage of what appeared to be someone dumping “1,000 liters of oily sludge” onto the track.
“This morning XR was contacted by friends who had dumped 1000 liters of mud at Flemington Racecourse ahead of Melbourne Cup action today,” he said in a tweet.
The group added that they “fully endorse” the message of the individual who vandalized the track.
The races started on time after the officials cleared the track. Credit: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images
The man who claims to have staged the incident identifies himself as a “problem gambler” and said the act was a protest against the “toxic” racing industry.
“This is about the Victoria Racing Club and the toxic industry they lead, choosing to protect their racecourse from the impacts of climate change at the expense of people’s homes and livelihoods,” said the man in a statement.
Victoria Police told 7NEWS.com.au in a statement they had been called about the matter.
“Detectives from the Melbourne Crime Investigation Unit are investigating after unknown offenders entered a racing facility in Flemington and poured an unknown substance over part of the track at around 6am on today, November 1,” he said in a statement.
“Any queries relating to implications for events at the premises should be directed to the Victoria Racing Club.”
Anyone with information that could help police is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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