He knows he might never beat David Rudisha but Saturday night's 800m race, which put Luke Mathews in the frame for the Rio Olympics, emboldened him with the thought that if he can't get Rudisha he might at least get some others a peg below the Kenyan champion.

There was a brief giddying moment on Saturday down the home straight at Lakeside Stadium when Mathews thought he could overtake the Olympic champion and world record holder but Rudisha absorbed the challenge and kept him at arm's length.

Luke Matthews of Australia celebrates after running an Olympic qualifying time in the 800m. Credit:Getty Images

Mathews might not have been able to overtake him, but Rudisha was able to tow the Australian home to a new personal best of 1:45.16 at the Melbourne World Challenge meet.

"Going through 600 I thought he [Rudisha] is vulnerable slightly but I was probably – definitely – wrong ... if had another two more years (maybe)," Mathews said.