John Steffensen, the son of South African parents but a proud, swaggering Aussie fuelled on the confidence of being taught by legendary American coach John Smith, took gold in the men's 400m.

Australia also took pint-sized 13-year-old diver Melissa Wu to their hearts after the youngster picked up a silver medal.

While the night's athletics golds were shared out, Jung was continuing to threaten a monopoly on the shooting ranges where he picked up a fifth gold medal to leave him two short of a record seven at one Games.

India also celebrated a third gold medal in weightlifting but their day at the Games ended on a low note when their men's team bowed out of the field hockey tournament with rivals Pakistan delivering the fatal blow.

After the raw emotions of the swimming pool, it was left to 23-year-old Steffensen and 13-year-old Wu to inherit the affection of the home nation.

The flamboyant runner's 400m victory was a first track gold for Australia since Darren Clarke won the same event in 1990.

Steffensen smashed his personal best in a time of 44.73 seconds to beat two-time world indoor champion Alleyne Francique of Grenada while Jermaine Gonzales of Jamaica took the bronze.

"Did I walk the walk, or what?" asked Steffensen, who won silver in the 2004 Athens Olympics as part of Australia's 4x400m relay team.

"I'm in a world of pain. Hopefully all of Australia will be celebrating tonight."

Other track and field golds went to Dorcus Inzukuri of Uganda in the women's steeplechase, Ghana's Ignisious Gaisah won the men's long jump while England's Kelly Sotherton clinched heptathlon gold.

Mark Boswell of Canada retained the men's high jump while Valerie Vili of New Zealand took the women's shot.

Samaresh Jung moved closer to a record seven gold medals with victory in the men's 10m Air Pistol individual competition.

The New Delhi-based federal security officer will create history if he wins the 25m Centre Fire Pistol event on Friday and the Standard Pistol title on Saturday.

Australian swimmers Ian Thorpe and Susie O'Neill hold the record of six gold medals each at a Commonwealth Games.

Jung, nicknamed Goldfinger by volunteers at the Melbourne International Shooting Club, played down the significance of the record.

"I am not interested in the record or gold medal," he said. "If I am shooting well then I will be happy."

Wales' David Phelps won the men's 50m Rifle Prone, Sheena Sharp of Scotland took the women's 50m Rifle Prone while Graeme Ede of New Zealand claimed gold in the men's Trap.

Wu teamed up with Alex Croak to claim silver in the women's 10 metre synchro platform diving behind compatriots Chantelle Newbury and Loudy Tourkey.

The 28 kilo (62 pound), 135 centimetre (4 foot 4 inch) diver became the darling of the crowd as she showed no nerves in her performance.