Australia has continued its Commonwealth Games gold rush in the velodrome as the track and field got underway overnight Thursday (AEST).

Australia won three of the seven gold medals on day one of the track program including the men’s team sprint, with Olympic medallist Leigh Hoffman, Ryan Elliott and Daniel Barber claiming the gold medal over England.

Australia’s Tara Neyland dominated the C4-C5 3000m team pursuit.

And the Australian women’s 4000m pursuit team successfully defended their Games title and broke their own Commonwealth Games record.

Felicity Wilson-Haffenden, Claudia Marcks and Alyssa Polites and Georgia Baker comfortably defeated New Zealand for the gold medal.

Australia rode 4:10.658 and New Zealand clocked 4:12.775.

“Bloody awesome — I couldn’t ask for much more. We came in here wanting to win gold, but it’s easier said than done,” said women’s coach Ash Ankudinoff, a former team pursuit world champion.

“We made up a good plan and the girls executed it to an absolute ‘T’.

“It’s an exciting bunch. I never cracked an Olympic medal, but we have a good bunch.

“It’s just a step in the right direction — look out LA and we’re excited for the next two years.”

Ankudinoff lauded Wilson-Haffenden, a former junior time trial world champion on the road, a massive engine for the Australian team.

“She’s an incredible asset to the team. I remember going to the junior worlds with her as a coach,” Ankudinoff said.

“To watch her grow into an incredible bike rider, I’m excited for what she can do, not only in two years but maybe towards Brisbane.”

Kane Perris and his pilot Luke Zaccaria won bronze in the men’s tandem B 1km time trial, while Scotland delighted the crowd by winning the first gold of the track program in the event ahead of Wales.

Australia started the track cycling well earlier on Thursday, putting themselves in gold medal contention across six of the seven day-one events.

They qualified fastest in the men’s team sprint and the two team pursuits, while Tara Neyland also posted the quickest time in the C4-C5 3000m individual pursuit on the way to winning gold.

Australia posted the fourth-fastest time in women’s team sprint qualifying and will race for bronze.

Para-sport veteran Jess Gallagher, with Jacqueline Mengler-Mohr piloting, took silver behind New Zealand in the women’s tandem B sprint.

MAFS star’s brutal blow

Australia’s Ridge Barredo fails a lift as he competes in the Men’s 110kg weightlifting final. Photo: AAP

Former Married at First Sight (MAFS) star Ridge Barredo had a “scary” moment when his knee popped and ruined his weightlifting campaign.

Barredo, who was competing in the 110kg light-heavyweight class, was on his third and final clean-and-jerk attempt at 190kg.

He told media: “I heard it pop on the third attempt, I tried to give it my all and I heard it pop [out] and pop back in.

“Just to feel it was a little bit scary. Initial pain was an eight or nine out of 10.”

Barredo would have finished fourth if he made the lift but instead failed to record a finish.

He said his sporting career was not over, but his TV career definitely was. He appeared on Married At First Sight three years ago.

“I’ve found my partner. I’m off the RDTV (reality TV). I wouldn’t recommend it for those who are interested. I mean, if you want to have some fun or in a toxic environment, go for it. But personally, I wouldn’t be going back.

“Jade and I are still together after meeting on the show. Probably one of, like, eight couples all time to be still together.

“So very grateful, very lucky. Jade’s a big part of the reason why I’m here, and I’m very grateful that she’s been so supportive for me.”

-AAP