Queensland's Jack Miller has recorded the second quickest time in Saturday morning's free practice session at the Australian MotoGP.
The local hope made the most of a break in the weather that caused chaos at Phillip Island on Friday to book his place in the second qualifying session with a chance at pole position.
Newly-crowned world champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) recorded the quickest time of the day shortly before rain returned to make conditions tricky for riders.
Saturday's free practice was extended by 15 minutes after torrential rain forced the cancellation on Friday afternoon's second practice session.
Movistar Yamaha riders Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo failed to make the most of the dry track early in the session and will go into the first qualifying session after finishing 12th and 21st respectively.
The top 10 riders on aggregate at the conclusion of practice go into second qualifying with a chance to fight it out for pole position.
Rossi and Lorenzo can still make into that session, with the two quickest riders from first qualifying progressing and the rest making up the back half of the starting grid for Sunday's race.
Miller's Marc VDS Honda team handled the changeable conditions brilliantly, sending him out on dry weather slick tyres before any other rider.
The gamble paid off when the rain stayed away long enough for Miller to make the most of his head start with some blistering lap times.
The only other Australian on the MotoGP grid, injury replacement Mike Jones on an Avintia Racing Ducati, did well to put himself inside the top 10 in early going before finishing the session in 18th.
Brit Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda) recorded the fastest time in Friday morning's practice session, but slid down the standings to 15th.
The session wasn't without incident with Maverick Vinales (Team Suzuki Ecstar) crashing on his way back into the pits, while Stefan Bradl (Aprilia Racing), Tito Rabat (Marc VDS) and Alvaro Bautista (Aprilia Racing) also slid off the circuit as conditions worsened.
