James McIlroy was in encouraging form in Melbourne

The 29-year-old, preparing for his Commonwealth Games challenge in March, led all the way to claim victory in one minute, 47.5 seconds.

McIlroy's performance on Saturday at the MCG suggests that he is maintaining the progress he made last year.

The Northern Ireland athlete bettered 1:45 for the first time last summer with a new personal best of 1:44.65.

McIlroy's next race will be in Brisbane on 3 March.

Zoe Brown was sixth in the pole vault with a clearance of four metres.