NEWCOMER to Warrnambool, Western Australian trainer Lindsey Smith, has fired a broadside at two high-profile trainers who have effectively challenged his reputation.
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Smith has been horrified by commentary in the racing media and has had enough of what he calls "white noise" in the background following two group one wins in the last few weeks since he opened his Warrnambool satellite stable.
"I'm no cheat," the 60-year-old trainer told The Standard on Monday from his Warrnambool-based stables.
"It's disturbing to have background noise on the television and the radio.
"I was taken aback with comments that have been made in the media.
"I aim to have a chat with a few people at Caulfield on Saturday."
Smith, who took over Darren Weir's stables in Warrnambool after the Melbourne Cup-winning trainer was disqualified for four years in February, said he was concentrating running his own training business.
"I'm here to run my business," he said.
"I'm not sticking my nose into other trainers' businesses. It's no secret that I've been mates with Darren Weir and I've leased out stables he used to have but I'm training the horses - not Darren Weir.
"I just want everyone to know I'm the trainer and I'm not a cheat."
Veteran galloper Black Heart Bart will attempt to win his second group one race within weeks for Smith when he runs in the $1 million Ladbroke Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday.
The nine-year-old won the group one Underwood Stakes at his last run.
"Black Heart Bart is good," he said. "Since his Underwood win he's done beach work with a bit of swimming.
"He'll have a gallop on the course proper over 1000 metres at Warrnambool on Tuesday morning. His next bad run will be his last."
Black Heart Bart has won six group one races - five at Caulfield.
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