Canadians Priscilla Lopes-Schliep and 2003 champion Perdita Felicien were contenders for the title, and the new Oceanian record holder Sally McLellan had shown consistent form.
Rounding out the favourites of the field, Jamaican athletes Brigitte Foster-Hylton and Delloreen Ennis-London were seeking to build on past championship successes.
[1] Michelle Perry's chance to gain a third gold ended in the heats, as she was hampered by an injury and finished seventh.
Compatriot Cherry was the biggest name to be eliminated, unable to beat Irish athlete Derval O'Rourke to the fastest non-qualifying time.
Just behind the medallists were two athletes with unexpected performances: the unfavoured O'Rourke finished fourth with an Irish record while McLellan, one of the pre-race favourites, posted a modest time for fifth place.