Footage has emerged of an unknown offender breaking into Flemington Racecourse and pouring an oily substance on the track ahead of the Melbourne Cup.

• Scroll down to see the footage

Nine News reporter Maggie Raworth says Extinction Rebellion protesters are “saying the people that did this … are their friends”.

“I’ve just received videos of the actual attack and it shows somebody breaking into the track overnight and throwing 1000 litres of oily sludge onto the outer part of the racecourse,” she told Tony Jones, filling in for Neil Mitchell.

“We have just seen one race take place and it didn’t seem to affect the event at all but it looks like as the day progresses there could be a safety issue.”

Police have confirmed they are investigating the incident.

Press PLAY below to for more details

Press PLAY below for footage of the sabotage

JUST IN: Footage has emerged of an unknown offender breaking into Flemington Racecourse and pouring an oily substance across the track ahead of the Melbourne Cup. #9News pic.twitter.com/SLytkLGN7K

— 9News Melbourne (@9NewsMelb) November 1, 2022

Image: Nine News