Jamaica's Ristananna Tracey (centre) comes off the curve alongside Kori Carter (right) and the United States' Christine Spence, during the women's 400 metres hurdles at the Jamaica International Invitational track and field meet at the National Stadium on Saturday. - Ian Allen

Ristanana Tracey, the fastest Jamaican woman over the 400-metres hurdles so far this season, is a little disappointed at her season-best time of 55.12 at the Jamaica International Invitational on Saturday, May 3. She is, however; convinced she can go a lot faster this season.

Tracey, the former Edwin Allen, star, who now trains at the Glen Mills, run Racer's Track Club, finished second to nine-time All-American hurdlers champion Kori Carter 54.94. Tracey's countrywoman Nickeisha Wilson was third in 55.61. However, despite a season-best time, Tracey was a little disappointed.

harder

"I think it could have been better," she said.

"If I had gone out a bit harder out of the blocks, I think it would have been a different race. I am finishing very strong so had I gotten out of the blocks faster it would have been a different race."

Tracey's transition from high school star to international athlete was hampered somewhat by injury. She represented Jamaica at the IAAF World Athletic Championships in Daegu, South Korea, in 2011, while nursing a broken forearm. It was an injury that also hindered her background work as she would require surgery to repair the damage. However, over the past two seasons, the hurdler, who turns 22 on May 9, is beginning to benefit from her return to being healthy. "Preparation has been a bit different. I have been training harder and I am more mentally focused right now, and of course, I am pleased with my performances so far," she said.

a big improvement

"This is my second 400-metre hurdles and to have lowered my time is a big improvement."

Tracey ran her first hurdles race of the season at the UTech Classic on April 12 and opened with 55.64, a meet record.

Her times so far suggest that she is ready to go a lot faster but she isn't ready to reveal that just yet. "I have an idea but I won't say. I will allow people to continue predicting times but when I go out I am going out to be my best."