JAMAICA’S 400m prodigy Javon Francis made a successful return to the track clocking the fastest time of 46.29 seconds in the men’s 400m open in at the Camperdown Classic yesterday.

However, the world’s fastest man Usain Bolt, who was slated to open his seasonal account also in the 400m, as well as 2008 Olympic 400m hurdles gold medallist Melaine Walker failed to show up for the meet.

Francis, formerly of Calabar High, but now representing the Michael Clarke-led Akon Track Club, had not run since smashing Bolt’s record at Champs last March with a blistering 45.00 seconds. He looked smooth in dismissing Racers’ Edino Steele in heat two.

Drawn in lane seven behind Steele in lane eight, by the time the runners completed 100 metres, Francis, or ‘Donkey Man’ as he is affectionately called, effortlessly galloped past Steele — who has a best time of 45.38 seconds — and cruised home to loud applause from the fans.

It was a welcomed return to the track for the promising athlete, and he was beaming from ear to ear when he spoke with the Jamaica Observer under the watchful eyes of his agent, Juliet Campbell, former 200m and 400m Jamaican sprinter.

“It was my first race for a while and I feel happy, and I am glad I came out here and performed at my best,” said a smiling Francis.

When asked if he was satisfied with his time of 46.29 seconds, Francis said he was happy. “I could have run much faster, but I am really happy because I was injured last year and I came out here and made a mark that Javon Francis is here back.

“My plans for this year is to stay healthy and I will be at Gibson Relays coming up soon, so my fans will see me there and I am working hard,” he noted.

Olympic 200m bronze medallist Warren Weir also won heat one in 47.33 seconds, as did 2014 Commonwealth Games 100m champion Kemar Bailey-Cole, who recorded 48.64 seconds in winning heat four. Delano Williams of Racers won heat six in 46.8 seconds.

Kerron Stewart, the 2008 Olympic 100m silver medallist, won heat two of the women’s 400m open in 55.17 seconds, but was slower than that of heat one winner and 400m hurdler, Ristananna Tracey, who clocked 54.63 seconds.

Meanwhile, Calabar High led by a sizzling second leg from Michael O’Hara, blitz to a wonderful 39.82 seconds in winning heat two of the boys’ Class One 4x100m relay.

Last year they did 39.35 seconds and established a new record at Champs, which makes this time a splendid one so early in the season. JC were second fastest winning heat one in 40.79 seconds.

St Jago’s Class Three girls ran 46.62 seconds, and were quickest overall ahead of Vere Technical’s 47.89 seconds. The Monk Street-based school showed their growing depth and was also quickest in Class Two with 47.44 and Class Four with 48.35 seconds.

Daniel Wint of Manchester High stopped the clock at 1:55.28 minutes and was quickest in the Class One 800m, while Rojaire Bingham of Mona High was second with 1:55.40 ahead of Shemar Walker of JC in 1:55.57 minutes.

Nicholas Maitland of Racers won the men’s 800m open in 1:55.67 minutes ahead of Michael Stone of UWI in 1:55.90 minutes. Jamar McNaughton of UWI won heat two in 1:57.31.

Rushell Clayton of UWI was quickest in the Class One 800m open with 2:13.09 minutes. Vere Technical’s Sasha-Gaye Whyte was second in 2:13.74, while Cameka Witter of St Andrew Technical High in 2:14.12 minutes won heat Two.

In the Class Two 800m, JC’s Maleik Smith was fastest overall, winning heat three in 1:57.59 minutes. Leon Clarke of St Jago was second in 1:57.62 in capturing heat one. Kingston College’s Damoy Boyd was third fastest in 2:00.02 minutes.