Carey, a three-time Pan American Games gold medallist, scored 14.366 points at Melbourne Arena to progress to the final in style.

The 19-year-old, part of the American squad which won team gold at last year's World Championships, finished a comfortable 0.633 points clear of Italy's Vanessa Ferrari in second.

Lara Mori, also of Italy, did enough for third having scored 13.541 points.

London 2012 Olympic gold medallist Epke Zonderland of the Netherland claimed top spot in men's horizontal bar qualifying as his routine was rewarded with 14.266 points.

The three-time world champion edged out Mitchell Morgans of Australia, who beat Milad Karimi of Kazakhstan by virtue of a higher execution score after both gymnasts scored 14.166 points.

Yusuke Tanaka, winner of an Olympic gold medal as part of the victorious Japanese team at Rio 2016, qualified in first place in the parallel bars competition.

Tanaka earned 15.166 points, 0.066 ahead of Vladislav Poliashov of Russia, while Phuong Thanh Dinh of Vietnam did enough for third on 14.800.

Urara Ashikawa was among the other Japanese athletes to impress on day two, topping the beam standings with 13.766 points.

Anastasiia Bachynska of Ukraine was second on 13.666 points, while Australia's Emma Nedov ended third on 13.100.

Guatemala's Jorge Vega Lopez finished first in the men's vault qualifying on 14.666 points, qualifying in front of James Bacueti of Australia and Yahor Sharamkou of Belarus, who both ended on 14.616.

The first five finals will take place when the event  is due to resume tomorrow.