A suspended Victorian thoroughbred trainer who is representing himself in court and challenging dozens of animal cruelty charges has been accused of "playing the system".

Bruce Akers returned to the Broadmeadows Magistrates Court for a special mention hearing.

He has yet to plead to 92 counts of animal cruelty and criminal damage after 22 horses were found dead on a property at Bulla, north-west of Melbourne, in April last year.

Another horse had to be put down.

Akers intends to challenge the charges at a three-day hearing in March.

He told the court that legal aid had rejected a funding application so he could not afford a lawyer and would represent himself.

"From Christmas, it's been a funding issue," he told the court.

He indicated he would call a veterinarian from the University of Melbourne to give evidence on his behalf, but he could not remember their name.

Magistrate Rose Falla described the case against him as unusual and extensive.

She criticised Akers for not having already subpoenaed his witnesses.

Akers said he wanted to call witnesses from Racing Victoria to speak about the condition of the property but Magistrate Falla replied "that's not relevant to these proceedings".

Akers 'tortured by police', court told

Akers also suggested that autopsies on the horses were not conducted comprehensively and police interviews were inappropriately handled.

"When the interviews were being done I was being tortured by police," Akers said.

Police prosecutor Jim Currell suggested that Akers was deliberately being a difficult by suggesting that the prosecution needed to better outline its case.

"Mr Akers, with respect, is playing the system here," Mr Currell said.

The prosecution intends to call two other veterinarians among several other witnesses at the contested hearing.

Akers was provided with transcripts of his interviews with police and the RSPCA and also photos of the horses.

The court heard the property at Bulla had been sold and the new owners planned to live there.

Akers remains on bail and declined to answer questions as he left court.

Racing Victoria suspended his training licence after the charges were laid.