The wonder from Down Under, Black Caviar, has equalled the Australasian record of 19 straight wins with a fighting victory in the Group One Lightning Stakes at Flemington.

But the five-year-old “equine freak” was given a real race by hulking sprinter Hay List who served it up to her for the majority of the $750,000 1000m straight-course feature.

Black Caviar’s brilliance shone through at the end as she steadily forged clear to down Hay List comfortably in a time just 0.3 seconds outside the course record.

Buffering was third.

The win took the unbeaten mare’s prizemoney past the $5 million mark.

“She’s an equine freak I suppose,” trainer Peter Moody, who virtually ruled out a start in next week’s Futurity Stakes at Caulfield, said.

“She’s the best horse and Luke (jockey Nolen) rode her accordingly.

“She loves the straight.

“She’s a champion.”

Nolen was almost speechless after the race.

“I’ve got to take my hat off to that mare,” he said.

“She fought it out … how much courage she has.”

Black Caviar now shares the record of 19 straight wins with Desert Gold (1915-17) and Gloaming (1919-21).