Victoria must repeat last summer's remarkable run-chase if the Bushrangers are to kickstart their Pura Cup cricket season and beat Western Australia at the Junction Oval.

The reigning champions need to score an improbable 455 to win.

It's a target that would be considered beyond its reach if not for the fact the Bushrangers scored the same total against NSW in Newcastle in January to post the state's most successful run-chase.

By stumps on day three Victoria was 1-89 in its second innings, with its two best batsmen in Matthew Elliott (52) and Brad Hodge (four) unbeaten and aiming to bat through a large slab of Saturday's 103 overs.

If not for the late loss of Graeme Rummans (27), the Bushrangers would be even more optimistic.

But captain Cameron White was buoyed by a good wicket and the knowledge Victoria had been the distance.

"It is a good thing that you know you've been able to do it so you can start to put a bit of belief in people's minds that you can chase a target like that," he said.

"The pitch is still pretty good. It's holding together pretty well so there's no reason why it can't be done.

"The outfield's fast and Herbie's (Elliott) in good touch so it's going well."

To pull off the chase will require something special - maybe something akin to the unbeaten 212 David Hussey smashed in Newcastle to set up his side's season.

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