After powering through their semi-final to set an age category best of 5 min 44.28sec on the Maritsa River yesterday, the Australians once again proved to be unstoppable in the gold medal race.

With 250 metres gone Austria, the reigning world champions, had the lead.

However, Australia then began to increase their speed and found themselves at the front of the field at 500m, just in front of Great Britain with the Austrians now back in third.

Australia’s Robert Black, Harley Moore, Liam Donald and Adam Bakker continued to assert their dominance and started to push away.

Their pace and power proved to be too strong and they crossed the line first in 5:50.160.

Britain managed to edge Austria into second place in 5:53.640 with their continental rivals rounding out the podium in 5:56.390. 

“We had a perfect race, it was completely to plan," said Black.

"We had rehearsed our plan throughout our campaign and I am proud of all the hard work.

"Today was the reward for all that we’ve done. 

"It wasn’t won today it was won over the last three months.”

Brooke Pierson and Kendall Brewer of the United States recorded the fastest time in the women's pair heats earlier in the week.

However, in today's final, Romanian duo Madalina Heghes and Iuliana Buhus found themselves in the lead at 500m.

Chile’s Melita and Antonia Abraham were in second with Australia's Annabelle McIntyre and Bronwyn Cox and the Americans almost level in third.

The Abraham sisters then moved to the front of the pack with Pierson and Brewer matching their pace.

Both pairings were level as the line approached but the Americans appeared to tire and faded, which saw the Abraham siblings cross the line first in 7:15.660.

McIntyre and Cox had just enough energy to pull in front of Pierson and Brewer right on the finish line to post a time of 7:17.550.

The US pairing then completed the podium in 7:17.710.

Italy retained their title in the lightweight women's quadruple sculls.

The team of Asja Maregotto, Paola Piazzolla, Valentina Rodini and Giovanna Schettino were quickest away from the line with The Netherlands close behind.

They had built a huge four second lead by the midway point and continued to extend their advantage eventually crossing the line in 6:25.96, a new age record time.

“The first part we really concentrated and we didn’t look around at all," said Piazzolla.

"It’s a great result as we’ve only had four days together as a whole crew."

Silver went to the Dutch team in 6:31.940 while Germany secured bronze in 6:32.260.

Action is due to conclude tomorrow with further finals.