BUDAPEST, Hungary — Candice McLeod thinks she is peaking at the right time as she seeks to make it into back-to-back finals in the women’s 400m at the World Athletics Championships.

McLeod was among six Jamaicans — three men and as many women — who advanced to the semi-finals of their respective events after Sunday’s heats at National Athletics Centre in Budapest.

National champion Nickisha Pryce and Charokee Young will join McLeod in the women’s semi-finals on Monday while the men’s trio of Sean Bailey, Antonio Watson and Zandrion Barnes are to contest the men’s semi-finals on Tuesday.

The Jamaicans enjoyed Sunday’s conditions, which were hot compared to the cool temperatures and heavy rains on Saturday’s opening day.

McLeod ran 50.37 seconds to place third in her heat, her second-fastest time this year.

“It felt pretty normal. We train under these conditions in Jamaica in the early morning so I had no problem with the time. [I am] peaking at the right time; things take time and you have to take things one step at a time and everything will be fine.”

She said she will have to run faster if she is to return for the final.

“I am ready; it is just to go and put more into the race because the goodie dem [competitors] fast bad,” she joked.

“I’m a person who never underestimates anyone. This round, I needed top three and I knew that the race was going to be fast and I wanted to qualify as calm as I possible can.”

Pryce, who has lowered her lifetime best in the 400m a few times this season, including her best 50.21 set at the national championships, won her first-round heat with 50.38.

She admitted she was nervous at the start of her first major championships.

“I was nervous. This is my first time here but I just came out here and do what my coach told me to do.”

Young, a member of the 4x400m relay team from last year in Eugene, Oregon, placed sixth in her heat with 51.24 to advance on time.

She was satisifed, given the difficulties she has had in transitioning from college to the professional ranks.

“I was still able to come here and get past the first round,” she told reporters.

Bailey, who won his second men’s national title last month, admitted to some rust in his first race since the national championships as he said he was dealing with pressing personal matters.

“I’m feeling good. I feel good knowing that I have not run in a month so this is a blowout for me so [that] I will be better in the semis,” Bailey said after his 44.98 clocking.

“This run will help me very much because my body normally needs a blowout before it can go again, because I’m one of those athletes that can’t just get up and run fast off just one run so I feel pretty good to get that time out there today.”

Watson ran a well-measured race and won his first-round heat in 44.77, the sixth best on the day and his fourth-best time ever.

“I am feeling good. I am excited to be at my first World Championships and I am happy with the time.”

Barnes was third in his race in 45.05 and said he is eager to prove that he belongs and is hoping to run faster on Tuesday.