Trainer Adam Kelly is hoping the "good" version of Friends turns up at the races this Saturday night at Tabcorp Park Melton.

The Toolern Vale-based horseman has described his recent stable acquisition as a quirky character who isn't always at the top of his game, but knows he will need to be somewhere near his best to measure up in the DNR Logistics Pace (rating 70-79).

"He's a bit of a thinker and you can get a good Friends and you can get an average Friends on race day," Kelly said.

"It can be anything from his manners, he can switch off. He has just got a few tricks."

Managing owner Paul Brumby sent the horse to Kelly following a fourth placing for former trainer Luke Watson at Mildura in May. And the move has been a rewarding one for connections, with the son of Bettors Delight winning four times since.

The seven-year-old was successful at his first two starts for Kelly at Kilmore and Cranbourne, won at Mildura on August 2 and then again at that same circuit just last week.

"He's up in grade (on Saturday night), but we thought we would chuck him in and see where he measures up," Kelly said.

"When he goes as good as he can, I'm sure he will measure up."

Friends, a winner of 10 from 57, has drawn nicely in barrier one and will be driven by Greg Sugars.

Stablemate Ten Spanners, which is raced by Brumby and a similar group of owners to Friends, is another bound for Melton on Saturday.

The trotting mare has raced six times for Kelly since arriving from South Australian trainer Ryan Hryhorec, winning at Victorian headquarters last month.

She has drawn gate six for the weekend's Melton City Much More Trot (rating 70-85) and will be partnered by Kima Frenning.

"The owners sent her over from Adelaide hoping she'd be able to win a race in town, which she has done," Kelly said.

"And I'm sure she has got a couple more in her with a bit of luck.

"She hasn't had a lot of luck since she won. Hopefully on Saturday night if she has a bit of luck, she won't be too far away.

"I don't have a lot of trotters, which isn't by design. But if you wanted a safe, lovely trotter, she is probably the one."

The daughter of Tennotrump has won 12 of 52 career outings.

Saturday's 11-race card kicks off at 5.22pm and winds up with the last event at 10.35pm.

 

Photo: Friends and Zac Phillips stride out at Melton. By Stuart McCormick