Local hope Jack Miller has made an impressive start to the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, finishing second in the opening practice session at Phillip Island.
The 27-year-old is vying to become the fourth Australian MotoGP rider after legends Wayne Gardner, Mick Doohan and Casey Stoner to win his home race.
Miller topped the times in P1 until the dying stages when Frenchman Johann Zarco rode a blistering final lap to pinch top spot.
But the Townsville export will take further confidence out of his opening ride on Friday after heading to the Victorian circuit following a win in Japan last month and a last-start podium finish in Thailand two weeks ago.
MotoGP legend Marc Marquez was third-fastest, coming in behind Zarco and Miller.
The six-time champion, who sits 13th in this year's standings, looked at ease out on track as he deals with ongoing injury issues relating to a horrific crash in 2020.
Remy Gardner, the son of Wayne, was 20th out of the 24 riders.
Despite heavy rain falling at Phillip Island in recent days, with the corner named after Stoner being waterlogged on Thursday, the circuit had dried out by the time riders began practice.
In MotoGP's return to Australia for the first time since 2019, a wallaby jumped across the track early in the practice session as riders managed to avoid the wandering marsupial.
Riders will hit the track for another practice on Friday before qualifying starts on Saturday.
