Local hope Jack Miller has put in a scorching lap on his Pramac Racing Ducati to record the second-fastest time in opening free practice at the Australian MotoGP.

Movistar Yamaha rider Maverick Vinales was quickest around the Phillip Island circuit in a session delayed by nearly two hours after an oil spill in Moto3 practice.

The island’s notoriously changeable weather was in evidence on Friday, with Moto2 and Moto3 riders contending with intermittent showers during practice before the sun came out for the MotoGP session.

Newly-crowned world champion Marc Marquez had a scary moment when he put his Repsol Honda downgoing into turn 10 but was able to walk away from the crash.

Repsol Honda teammate Dani Pedrosa also slid off the track, the Spaniards finishing the session sixth and 13th respectively.

Miller’s Pramac Racing teammate Danilo Petrucci was third and factory Ducati rider Andrea Dovizioso fourth, with nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha) 10th.

Queenslander Mike Jones, riding an Angel Nieto Team Ducati as an injury replacement, was the slowest rider in 24th position.

Australian Moto2 rider Remy Gardner (Tech 3 Racing), son of 1987 500cc world champion Wayne Gardner, was shaken up in a nasty high-side crash and did not post a time but was unhurt.

Japanese Moto3 rider Kazuki Masaki (RBA BOE Skull Rider) received a fright when a wallaby hopped in front of him in early action.

MotoGP’s second free practice session is on Friday afternoon with the third on Saturday morning.

The top 10 riders on aggregate across all three sessions go through to second qualifying where they will fight it out for pole position for Sunday’s 27-lap race.

The remainder of the field goes into the first qualifying session, with the top two riders earning entry into second qualifying.