Steve Solomon is in impressive form. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Michael Klein / News Corp Australia
HE hasn't raced in Australia for two years but Steve Solomon reminded everyone why he is one of the world's best 400m runners with a dominant performance at the Commonwealth Games selection trials.
The US-based sprinter won his third national title by breaking the hearts of his opponents, including former Commonwealth champion John Steffensen, in the first half of the race and then cruised home to win in 45.36sec.
Steffensen, who is on the comeback after being suspended from the sport last year, faded to finish fourth (46.53sec) with Queensland pair Craig Burns (46.23sec) and Alex Beck (46.33sec) filling the placings.
Solomon, the London Olympic finalist who missed last year's nationals because of a back injury, was happy with his performance given the blustery conditions and the fact it was his first outdoor hit-out of the year.
"My indoor time suggested this was the kind of shape I am outdoors but in my first indoor season (with Stanford University) I didn't feel like I was in 45.3 shape just yet as we have only really had one speed session," he said.
"I only got in from the US last week but I'm super excited about where that puts me in the position for the rest of the season heading towards Glasgow."
A twitter spat has added more spice to today's 1500m final with Jeff Riseley disciplined over a tweet about his main rival Ryan Gregson.
Riseley referred to Bahrain's disgraced drug cheat Rashid Ramzi when commenting on the winner of the Friday's third heat which was Gregson.
He later told officials he was referring to Gregson's finish where he ran off the track and crossed the line in lane six which was a trademark of Ramzi's.
But given the national record holder has been sidelined for most of the past 12 months and hasn't run a race all season, the Gregson camp read the tweet as referring to the dubious history of 2008 Olympic 1500m champion who was later stripped of his title.
The pair were training partners for a number of years as part of Nic Bideau's stable before Riseley moved on after a disappointing performance at the London Olympics.
"I did see it and I was disappointed," Bideau said. "I expected more from Jeff who I worked with at two Olympics."
Riseley deleted the tweet before he was contacted by Athletics Australia head coach Eric Hollingsworth. He is understood to have sent a text message to Gregson yesterday morning apologising for the tweet.
A decision on whether any further disciplinary action is required will be decided by AA in the coming days.
Last night Riseley's bid to win the 800m/1500m double failed when he was beaten into third place in the two-lap event behind Sydney university student Joshua Ralph (1min46.57sec) and Victorian Alexander Rowe (1:46.68sec).
Ralph's switch to the 800m this season has been a masterstroke after he was a reserve for the 4x400m relay at last year's Moscow world championships.
The 22-year-old vowed he would never be put in that position again and he has delivered by winning his first national title and booking a spot on the Commonwealth Games team.
"It has been a good move up to the two laps," he said. "It was heartbreaking not getting a run in the 4x400 in Moscow, I understand why I didn't but I never want to be in that situation again.
"I decided to have a go at the 800 at the Zatopek (in December) because of my cross-country background I got a B-standard time in my first run so we decided to give the 800 a crack and it has been a great choice."
Reigning Commonwealth discus champion Benn Harradine will defend his title in Glasgow after capturing his sixth national title with a throw of 62.23m.
Missing from yesterday's competition was Moscow world championships finalist Julian Wruck with the US-based thrower currently sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Hurdler Nicholas Hough has made his first Australian team after winning the national title in 14.12sec (-2.9mps).
In the men's 5000m, Ballarat's Collis Birmingham broke away over the final lap to win in 13min44.55sec from Ben St Lawrence (13:48.83sec).
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