Australian record-holder Alex Rowe has been denied a fairytale comeback in his return to competition in the 800m.
Rowe finished in one minute 48.39 seconds to place fourth at Saturday's Adelaide Track Classic, his first meet since withdrawing from the 2015 world athletics championships.
Veteran James Gurr came in first with 1:47.72 ahead of local favourite Dylan Stenson and Jared West.
With Rowe among a crowded field of contenders for the maximum three 800m qualifying spots for Australia at the Rio Olympics, Gurr said he hoped to stake his claim after narrowly missing out on Beijing and London.
"It's great to be back in the winner's circle," he told AAP.
"I think I'm running just as well as I ever have and training as well as I ever have.
"But then again, 'Rowey' is the 1:44.40 guy. He's our national record-holder. Even if I'm running better than I ever have ... they're all going to take some beating."
Rowe and Gurr will compete to join Jeff Riseley and Josh Ralph in bettering the 800m qualifying standard of 1:46.00 at the Melbourne World Challenge in March, where they'll be joined by Kenyan world champion David Rudisha.
Two-time Commonwealth champion Alana Boyd claimed victory over Vicky Parnov in the women's pole vault with a best of 4.45m.
Rising star Nina Kennedy had a disappointing night. Her 3.90m finish was well short of her 4.59m personal best.
Boyd said the 18-year-old would learn from the experience before the world junior athletics competition in July.
"She had such a good year last year, a breakthrough year for her," Boyd told AAP.
"It's a massive learning curve for her. She's still a junior. She's definitely a talent.
"It's one of those events where you just have your days."
In the men's pole vault, 18-year-old Angus Armstrong cleared 5.35m to finish ahead of fellow youngster Kurtis Marschall.
Matthew Denny impressed in the field, winning the hammer with a best effort of 69.66m before edging out Julian Wruck in the 2kg discus.
Lara Nielsen edged closer to an Olympic qualifying standard with a 66.20m throw in the women's hammer.
Veteran Alwyn Jones cruised to victory in the triple jump with a 16.49m effort.
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