Ever-improving Ashley Couper carved a sensational six seconds off her personal best, setting another new national record as she galloped into the final of the Commonwealth Games 1500 metres at the Melbourne Cricket Ground this morning.

In a tough semi-final heat containing the likes of four national champions, an Olympic finalist and the world junior champion, the 28-year-old Couper looked very much the part, tracking the lead pack all the way around the final bend of the four-lap race to sprint home in sixth place.

With the top four in each semi-final along with the next four fastest advancing to tomorrow?s final, there was never much doubt that Couper?s time of four minutes, 11.03 seconds ? her previous best was 4:17.6 ? would be sufficient to qualify.

Indeed, a much slower second semi-final meant the Bermudian Front Street Mile record holder had the sixth fastest time overall, even eclipsing that of England?s Helen Clitheroe who won the second race in 4:11.05.

Tactically, Couper, who has smashed her own mile record three times in the last couple of months, did nothing wrong.

From the gun she sat at the back of the pack for two laps and when the leaders made their move with more than half a lap remaining, she stayed right on their heels.

A fast finish saw Hayley Tullett of Wales hit the line first in 4:09.59, pipping Canada?s Carmen Hussar, a finalist at the Athens Games two years ago, by just four tenths of a second.

England?s Lisa Dobriskey placed third in 4:10.02, Australia?s Suzanne Walsham fourth in 4:10.38, Scotland?s Hayley Ovens fifth in 4:10.52, and Couper less than half a second behind.

?That?s a big PR for me, six seconds,? said a delighted Couper afterwards.

?I?ve run 4.33 for the mile indoors this year, so I knew I was in good shape, but that?s a great time for me.

?And I felt good all the way. I was a bit nervous this morning but I?m confident right now based on my performances indoors this year. So I said to myself ?just stay with the pack and just kick with 300 (metres) to go?, and that?s exactly what happened.

?Overall, I?m really, really happy. I would have liked to have made the top four but looking at the second heat, our race was much faster.?

Looking ahead to tomorrow night?s final, which will be watched by mother Peggy and father Colin, as well as cousin Tyler Butterfield, Couper said she was both excited and confident.

?This is what I wanted, to reach the final. That was my goal. But today felt great, and I?ve got to aim for another PB.

?It?s hard right now to think I?ve got to do it all again tomorrow. I?m not used to racing two days in a row but I think I?ll be OK. I?ve worked out hard two days in a row.

?I?m going to go back to the Village and get a massage and rest.

?I actually dreamt last night that I made the final but didn?t run very fast, and I wasn?t happy. But now I?ve done both, so I?m really happy.?

Also this morning, swimmers Ronald Cowen and Graham Smith were back in the pool, but neither were able to emulate last night?s superb performance by Kiera Aitken who booked her place in tonight?s final of the 50 metres backstroke.

Cowen plunged into lane one in an extremely tough fifth heat of the 50 metres freestyle, one of the most competitive events on the swim programme, but was unable to progress into this evening?s semi-final, clocking 24.58 seconds to finish in eighth and last place.

However, of the 45 swimmers who competed in six heats, the 25-year-old Bermudian?s time ranked 24th.

Smith later took part in his speciality, the 200 metres Individual Medley, but with only eight spots available for tonight?s straight final, his time of 2:13.69 wasn?t quite fast enough to see him advance.

He placed sixth in heat two, his time 16th best among the 22 entries.

Earlier Aitken had scratched from the 200 metres backstroke heats in order to concentrate on tonight?s final.

Tomorrow sees Bermuda?s cyclists in action for the first time, Julia Hawley entered in the morning?s time trial over the same St. Kilda course used during last Saturday?s triathlon.

Tyler Butterfield and Geri Mewett will line up for the men?s event in the afternoon, although all three say their focus remains on Sunday?s road races, the final event of these Games.