Champion mare Winx has won her 28th straight race with back-to-back victories in the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington.

Recently crowned Australian Racehorse of the Year, seven-year-old Winx accelerated home over 2000 metres after hovering at the back of the pack at the 800-metre mark in Race 5 at Flemington on Saturday.

Long-time jockey Hugh Bowman said the final 100 metres was “just extraordinary” and she had to dig deep to bring home the Group 1 win.

“Isn’t she just amazing?,” Bowman said on his way back to the mounting yard amid huge applause and a sea of Winx flags.

“I usually ride her arrogantly and let her move into the race when it pleases me, but I just didn’t have the option today.”

“I was inside Grunt, who I had healthy respect for. I was – I really didn’t want to be there, but didn’t have much choice.”

He said he was really in the “hands of the Gods” at the 1000-metre mark.

“When the pressure went on it was good, because once we were all settled into our positions the pace was quite steady.”

“When the sprint went on, those horses that couldn’t quicken as well, it left a few options for me.”

“Still, it was her champion quality that came out in the end. Youngstar is a quality filly. It was great to see her race so well.

“When I peeled off and went out after them I thought, ‘We are in for a fight’ but the final 100, it was extraordinary.

“That’ll do her good. She had to really dig deep over the final 600 metres today. That will bring her on nicely for the fourth Cox Plate hopefully in three weeks time,” Bowman said of the horse he described as a “magnificent athlete”.

RACE REPLAY: Winx comes from a challenging spot at the back of the pack to win the Turnbull Stakes. Making it 28 straight wins & 21 Group 1 wins. @cwallerracing @flemingtonvrc // #winxhorse #gowinx // Vision @Racing pic.twitter.com/nJ6JVuJj18

— Winx (Official)Ⓜ️Ⓜ️Ⓜ️Ⓜ️ (@winx_horse) October 6, 2018

One punter was so convinced her winning streak would remain intact he placed a $170,000 bet, the highest amount ever placed on the mare, according to News Corp.

The win puts the “once in a lifetime horse” Winx as only the third multiple winner of the Turnbull and clocks up her 21st Group One win.

Champion trainer Chris Waller said the team had done a great job “getting her to now”.

Asked after the race if he was concerned at seeing her at the back for such a long time, he replied: “She hasn’t been there for a long time … but it’s the best way to ride a horse. It was a picture perfect Bowman ride but you need, you’re weighing on a bit of luck and, fortunately, the gaps came and she had a bit of ground to make up.”

“But, we’re at Flemington, and it’s just home for a racehorse.”

“It’s pretty special … but once she had clear running, well, what will be will be.”

Queen #Winx returns to her adoring fans following her 28th consecutive win @FlemingtonVRC #TurnbullStakes @winx_horse @cwallerracing pic.twitter.com/99xzNDs4HY

— Racing Victoria (@RacingVictoria) October 6, 2018

Waller said her 4am pre-dawn work out was no more than an easy trot, saying she was “bucking and kicking in her sand roll”.

“Today, all she had to do was repeat her form and she did that,” Waller said.

It was only the superstar mare’s second start at Flemington. She also won the 2000-metre Turnbull Stakes in 2017, on her way to a record-equalling third victory in the Cox Plate.

She has now earned $19.9 million in prize money.

Waller, who is famously unable to actually watch his star charge race, admitted after the race to more than his usual nerves.

“Fortunately the gaps came,” he said. “You get a few flutters, but once she had clear running it was what will be will be … but there will be a day where she’s not as dominant.”

Before the race, the crowd packed rails along the track and around the parade ring, eager for even the smallest glimpse of Winx. Bowman said the mare’s connections were conscious of her popularity.

“Great horses attract so much attention … There are kids here today who… will remember this for the rest of their lives,” he said.

You don’t see crowds like this at the stalls too often. Welcome to the ‘Winx effect’ #Winx pic.twitter.com/HtRwucMhN7

— Roger Oldridge (@roger_oldridge) October 6, 2018

Winx has been in Melbourne all week, ready for her assault on Flemington. At a media call for the wonder mare on Thursday, Waller said she was “picture perfect” for her spring program.

“She hasn’t got the world’s best rating for nothing, but we just need to make sure that she stays the same,” he said.

“It will take a champion to beat her, or a day where she’s no longer as dominant as she has been. But there’s certainly been no signs of that.”

The super mare will stay in Melbourne for her next race – an attempt at an unprecedented fourth Cox Plate on October 27.