JOIN USBolt opens season with meet record
"I guess I am getting there," Bolt told reporters. "I never felt as good as I wanted to, but it was a good race.
"My coach spoke to me about running the first 200 metres too hard, so I tried to pace myself and bring it home nice and smooth," said the 100 and 200 metres world record holder.
Racing in lane four, Bolt established a commanding lead down the backstretch, then cruised to the fastest 400 metres run at the six-year-old meeting. The 22-year-old covered the distance in 46.35 seconds at the classic last year. His personal best is 45.28 in 2007.
Bolt's coach, Glen Mills, told reporters earlier this week he was satisfied with the sprinter's training so far. "His training has been going well and he is healthy," Mills said. "This year is really not an intense one."
Bolt said Mills would determine whether he participates in the Commonwealth Games in India in October.
"My coach decides what I do, and he is putting a lot of thought into participating at the games," Bolt said. "I am not even sure when and where my first 100 metres race of the year will be." His only announced competition on the new Diamond League circuit is a 100 metres race at the Adidas Grand Prix in New York on June 12.
Saturday's race is likely to be his only one at 400 metres, Bolt said.