The 35-year-old triumphed at the series opener in Abu Dhabi over the Olympic distance, but the 750 metres swim, 20 kilometre bike and 5km run sprint distance event provided a different test.

Hewitt was part of a large 30 woman group which formed on the bike leg of the race, after she worked well with Britain's Jodie Stimpson to bring a large contingent to join the leaders out of the swim.

The short and technical circuit provided challenges for the field, with a strong wind also adding extra difficulty.

While the main field remained together heading into the transition, the group would soon be split as Hewitt raced out first in search of victory.

She was chased by Australia's Ashleigh Gentle and Japan’s Juri Ide, but the pair were unable to reel in the Kiwi athlete.

Hewitt would complete the distance in a time of 58min and 3sec to secure her second straight win, strengthening her grip on the early series lead in the process.

The battle for the runners-up spot was won by Gentle, who finished four seconds adrift of the winning time.

Crucially, as the first Australian across the line, the 26-year-old secured the first spot on offer for the country's Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games team.

It provided a contrast to her qualifications for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, which were secured late in the process.

Ide would round off the podium places, with the Japanese athlete finishing in 58:12.

The men's event saw Spain's reigning champion Mario Mola secure victory after a battle with his training partner Richard Murray.

They formed part of a five-man group at the start of the run, which featured Australia's Jake Birtwhistle and the Spanish duo Javier Gomez Noya and Fernando Alarza.

When Birtwhistle was burned off the back of the group, it left Murray surrounded by Spaniards heading into the closing stages.

The South African would pull away, however, with only defending Gold Coast champion Mola for company.

The reigning world champion would eventually edge clear to take victory in 52:35, with Murray four seconds back.

Alarza crossed the line in 52:44 to round off the podium, with Gomez missing out as the five-time world champion was a further seven seconds behind.

His finish, coupled with victory at the series opener in Abu Dhabi, sees Gomez retain the overall series lead.

By ending as the first Australian after crossing in fifth in a time of 53:03, Birtwhistle secured the first Commonwealth Games spot for his country.

He was forced to hold off Luke Willian in the closing metres, with his compatriot ending just five seconds behind.