His co-trainer Mark Purdon was worried Border Control was underdone when the gelding lined up against stablemate Adore Me at Addington in the feature aged pace last week.
The pair blew that theory out of the water, as Adore Me smashed the national allcomers record for the 2600m standing start by almost three seconds and Border Control edging under the previous record of Bettor's Strike, of 3.11.5, by 0.2sec.
''I thought he needed it - I thought they both needed it - but they probably went better than I thought they would,'' Purdon said.
''That run may have improved him a little bit.''
Purdon is naturally understated when rating his horses but he's not short of confidence in Border Control, who opened as a $1.55 favourite for tonight's 4 and 5yr-old championship at group 3 level.
''He's got to be the horse to beat,'' Purdon said.
''His record stands alone in that sort of field. He seems pretty good.''
The New Zealand Derby and Harness Jewels 3yr-old male pacing winner from last season starts by himself from the 20m mark, with five horses on the 10m mark.
One of those is Arising Easton, who has continued to make good progress since transferring from the Tahakopa stable of owner Brian Norman.
''His form line's been great - he's a good, trying horse, and he's done a good job for us,'' Purdon said.
The only blip in the form was a seventh at Rangiora on April 6.
''You've got to disregard his last start because he was late getting clear, and he was well back by the time he did get clear,'' he said.
Du Vella is the lone All Stars Stable runner in the 2yr-old fillies sires' stakes heat. She is surrounded by three Cran Dalgety representatives, including likely favourite Katy Perry, who was stylish on debut last week.
Du Vella's two raceday outings have produced third placings behind Fight For Glory and Linda Lovegrace respectively - reason enough for Purdon to been quite keen on the Courage Under Fire filly's chances from barrier 3.
''She's done everything right and she's probably in with a nice chance there. The ones she has run places to are nice fillies, so she'll probably be a serious chance,'' he said.
A draw on the inside of the second line might work out well for Te Amo Bromac in the 3yr-old fillies sires' stakes heat as she tries to get past stars Venus Serena and Raksdeal.
''I really think she's better having just one run at them, and maybe it might turn out to be the best draw for her,'' he said.
Blair Orange will take the drive on Adore Me in the Easter Cup on Saturday night, when she takes on Terror To Love, as Purdon has commitments with Supersonic Miss, at Menangle. But Purdon chuckled as he reflected on her run last week.
''She went fantastic - she just amazed me. That was probably as good as she's ever gone.
''It's been a horrible week for training [due to rain] but she's certainly come through the run well and has worked quietly at home and seems well in herself, and that's all we can ask.''
