Nina Kennedy Misses Pole Vault Gold at Commonwealth Games; Georgia Baker Wins Fifth Cycling Gold

Olympic pole vault champion Nina Kennedy could not defend her Commonwealth Games title against New Zealand's Eliza McCartney in a huge upset on day eight of the Glasgow Games.

Kennedy missed gold on a countback and had to settle for silver in Glasgow.

The Australian flag bearer had one miss at 4.65 metres before clearing on the second attempt.

The difference was New Zealand's McCartney, who also cleared 4.65m, did not miss a height before missing three times at 4.70m.

"I'm disappointed. I wanted to win, and I didn't, and that's OK, you know," Kennedy said.

McCartney held the Oceania record with 4.94m until Kennedy broke it by clearing 4.95m in Monaco last month.

It was the fifth-best height on the all-time list and best in the world for the past five years, and had Kennedy eyeing the five-metre mark.

But the 29-year-old conceded she didn't handle the cold conditions well at Scotstoun Stadium.

"I don't think I've jumped that low in like four years, and I think that just demonstrates how tough it was," Kennedy said.

"I know I'm in better shape than that, and I'm excited for the rest of the season.

"But … the Comm Games, it's just so much fun.

Elsewhere on the track, Lachie Kennedy and Torrie Lewis were unable to repeat their 100m medal magic in their respective 200m finals, both finishing sixth.

Earlier, Isaac Beacroft won gold in the men's 10,000m race walk before Sarah Billings dug in to take bronze in the women's 800m, sharing the podium with a pair of world champions.

Billings was the first Australian woman to win a medal in the 800m since Sharon Stewart claimed bronze in 1990.

Baker enters elite cycling company

Georgia Baker has won her fifth Commonwealth Games gold medal, joining a select group as Australia enjoyed another prolific day at the velodrome.

Outstanding team work set the Tasmanian up for the win on Saturday morning in the women's scratch race — her fifth Games gold.

After three gold in Birmingham and another in the team pursuit on day one of track cycling in Glasgow, Baker has joined esteemed company.

Anna Meares, Matt Glaetzer and Brad McGee are the fellow members of Australia's five cycling gold club.

And with the points race and elimination to come over the next two days, the 32-year-old could be out on her own.

"You never know — could be," Baker said with a grin.

Baker did not know about the pending milestone until fellow Australian cyclist and good friend Alex Manly messaged her before the scratch race.

"Just to be alongside [them] is great."

Fellow team pursuit gold medallists Sophie Edwards and Alyssa Polites were faultless, and when Polites gave the leadout with two laps left, Baker held on for the win.

"That was our dream run," Baker said.

"I was definitely wanting the finish line to come, that's for sure. I'm so happy."

After three gold on day one, Australia racked up three more wins to dominate the track cycling program.

The faultless execution in the scratch race was also a morale boost for the track endurance women after the frustrating and confusing start to day two.

Teammate Felicity Wilson-Haffenden was disqualified from her individual pursuit bronze medal ride because of her shoulder strapping.

While Edwards was also disqualified because of too much padding in her helmet, it was the Wilson-Haffenden ruling that concerned the Australians.

Not only did it deny their rider a shot at another medal after the team pursuit gold, but team management said there was no explanation from the race judges.

Also setting aside their loss to England in the men's team pursuit Ashes final the day before, Oliver Bleddyn led an Australian sweep of the individual pursuit.

He beat Conor Leahy in the final and James Moriarty won the bronze ride-off.

The fourth rider from the team pursuit, Blake Agnoletto, then stormed past brave Scottish rider Mark Stewart to win the elimination race.

While Australia had half the six-rider field in the men's keirin final, Malaysian great Azizul Awang has forgotten more about the event than Leigh Hoffman, Danny Barber and Tayte Ryan know.

Awang, who has strong Australian connections, rode brilliantly to win gold ahead of Hoffman.

In a mark of respect to the rider known as Pocket Rocketman, Hoffman and English bronze medallist Harry Ledingham-Horn put Awang on their shoulders after the medal ceremony.

"Azizul is just an inspiration. To lose to him, he's a great of the sport," Hoffman said.

Gordon Allan also claimed silver in the C2-C3 1km time trial amid another big day for Australia at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome.

"Australia has so much depth in every event. It's gold fever out here," Hoffman said.