Former racehorse trainer arrested after double stabbing in Melbourne

A former racehorse trainer is under police guard in hospital following a double stabbing in Melbourne's north on Monday night.

Tommy Hughes Jr was arrested after allegedly stabbing a man and woman in separate incidents in Ascot Vale.

The 56-year-old was taken into custody after allegedly crashing his car into a tree while trying to evade officers in Kensington just before 2pm on Tuesday.

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He was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

9News has been told that police will allege Hughes lured his friend of more than 20 years to meet him in a car around 6pm on Monday night.

It's alleged he drove a few hundred metres before pulling out a knife and stabbing a 46-year-old man five times.

A 60-year-old woman was also allegedly stabbed, after the grandmother offered him a place to stay after he was evicted from his home, police say.

A former Flemington trainer and son of the legendary trainer of the same name, Hughes left the industry abruptly in January last year.

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Following the incident, the Victorian Racing Club alerted Flemington staff by email warning them he may try to enter the racecourse.

The email said Hughes could be dangerous and should not be approached.

Both victims are now in a stable condition.

Detectives are awaiting a psychiatric assessment before charges are laid.