On his blog, Drysdale went into further detail.
"I didn't feel like I had put anything extra into the start, but I found myself leading by 250m and I had moved out to half-a-length by the 500m. Anyone who has watched me race knows this is pretty rare. It has been something I have consciously worked on after last year.
"During the second 500m, I moved out to a lead of over a length and none of the other scullers tried to match me.
"I did have some doubts going through the 1000m that maybe I had misjudged my pacing ... but I felt good and just kept the pressure on ... it was a pretty awesome feeling."
The domination suggested he is the favourite to defend his Olympic title.
That has not always been the case since his gold in London three years ago. He exited in the quarter-finals at the 2013 world championships. A fractured rib from a bike crash hindered his preparation in the wake of a post-Olympic sabbatical.
He wrote an email at 4.30 the following morning, describing the impact of missing the podium at a world championships for the first time since transferring to the single sculls in 2005.
He acknowledged the result had shown "the truth about the old saying Proper Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance".
He considered pulling out of the regatta but believed he could find a solution through pain relief.
His bubble of invincibility burst and, with Hamish Bond defeating him three times in the single sculls the following summer, his mojo looked fragmented.
The upshot was his summary: "I expect to be back on the podium in Amsterdam next year and pushing for gold again in three years [at the Olympics]. I'll learn from this and proper preparation will ensure a perfect performance next time!"
After silver in Amsterdam and a performance like last weekend, Drysdale has been as good as his word. A record sixth men's single sculling world championship beckons in Aiguebelette next month. He's currently level with German Peter-Michael Kolbe.
"In Korea [2013], it took me longer to come back than I thought, whereas last year, I got to a better point than expected. Now I feel I'm as good, if not better, than I've been in my career.
"It was always a bit of an unknown going to Rio. I believed I could do it and spoke to Dick [coach Tonks] and he believed too. He said there's no reason I can't be better than London. To start proving that is exciting.
"The years and years of base training certainly make it easier. The women's double [of Zoe Stevenson and Eve Macfarlane, and formerly Fiona Bourke] have also been a massive help. Going up against a world champion crew every day makes for tough competition. They keep your training honest."
Drysdale's victory at Eton Dorney made him, at 33, the second-oldest man to win the Olympic single sculls. He would have to stick around until Tokyo to take the elder statesman title from Harry Blackstaffe, who turned 40 during the 1908 London Olympic regatta on the Thames.
Drysdale is now training at one of Rowing New Zealand's European bases in Bohinj, Slovenia. He will be joined by wife Juliette and nine-month-old daughter Bronte for the latter stages of the campaign.
