AUSTRALIA'S Troy Bayliss fired the first telling shot in qualifying for tomorrow's second round of the Superbike World Championship at Victoria's Phillip Island, taking the fastest time after he and rivals traded quick laps at 300kmh in sweltering conditions.

Former champion Bayliss, back in superbikes and with Ducati after three frustrating seasons in MotoGP, produced his fastest lap with 13 minutes of qualifying remaining, then waited anxiously to see if anyone could better it.

No one did.

And Bayliss, 36, who leads the championship after two second places in Qatar last weekend, believes he can go quicker today, particularly if the weather is cooler, and the wind drops.

Reigning Superbike world champ Troy Corser held sway with his Suzuki early in yesterday's one-hour session but slipped to fourth when Brazil's Alex Barros, Bayliss and Briton James Toseland all posted quicker times.

The first four are covered by less than 0.5 seconds ahead of today's second qualifying session and Superpole run-off, which determines the final starting grid places from the 16-fastest riders in qualifying.

"I think we're in for another couple of crazy races like last weekend in Qatar," Bayliss said.

"I'm feeling strong and confident, and I know Troy [Corser] is, too. And Alex [Barros] is coming on strong, too, on the Honda, like we thought he would."

Barros, the winner of seven 500cc/MotoGP grands prix, has some good form at Phillip Island; in 2002 he was pipped for a win by Valentino Rossi on the last lap of the Australian round of the world championship.

He and 2004 Superbike world champion, Toseland, threaten to spoil the Aussie parade.

Toseland won one of the two races in Qatar a week ago and is riding perhaps the most powerful bike in the field, a Ten Kate Honda.

Lifted by crowd support, Australian riders have a great record at Phillip Island and it is expected that Bayliss and Corser will be tough to beat.

In 29 championship races there since 1990, Aussies have won 18, with Corser taking six victories.

Corser has other impressive statistics on his side. The 34-year-old, from Wollongong, won eight of the 23 races in 2005 (including both heats at Phillip Island), but anticipates a tougher time this year with the return of Bayliss and arrival of Barros.