Olympic gold medalist Anna Meares produced a world-class performance to claim gold in the 500m time trial at the Oceania track cycling championships as Australia grabbed three golds on the opening night of competition in Invercargill, New Zealand.
The four-time world champion recorded a time of 33.500 seconds, less than half a second outside her world record of 33.010 and comfortably ahead of New Zealand's Katie Schofield who took silver more than a second back.
Earlier, Kaarle McCulloch partnered with Stephanie Morton to take out the women's team sprint while Australia's third gold of the night came when Rohan Wight triumphed in the under-19 individual pursuit.
Meares said her result signalled she was on the right track for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
"It's the first time I have ridden that since the worlds in 2012," Meares said.
"I was focusing on the processes for a strong 500, and to ride 33.500 in not perhaps ideal conditions, I am really pleased with.
"It's the first step towards to Rio.
"It's a long road but definitely (Tuesday night) was a step forward.
"I am hoping that with each race I will get a little bit better."
She will only need to get a little better to achieve her next goal in the sport - becoming the first woman to go below 33 seconds in the event.
"I have a long time to work towards those goals," she said.
"I was the first person to ride 33 seconds and I want to be the first woman to ride 32."
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