Pucovski century has Vics on top in Shield

Sheffield Shield front-runners Victoria, led by young batting ace Will Pucovski, have set Tasmania a near-impossible target of 476 runs to win their match in St Kilda.

Tasmania, who can ill afford defeat if they are to stay in the hunt for a Shield final berth, ended Thursday's third day at 0-27 from 11 testing overs at the Junction Oval.

Victoria had no such trouble earlier in the day, with Pucovski hitting a chanceless 131 not out to boost his chances of an Ashes squad call-up.

The 21-year-old brought up his third first-class ton off 140 balls, in a masterful innings that included 16 boundaries.

The Bushrangers scored freely in their 66-over innings before declaring at 3-307, 475 runs clear of the Tigers.

The Shield's leading run-scorer Marcus Harris added 44 at the top of the order, while Nic Maddinson looked on track for a fourth hundred in three matches before he was dismissed for 61.

Cameron White chimed in with an unbeaten 52 as he and Pucovski put on a run-a-ball unbroken 100-partnership for the fourth wicket.

Earlier, the Tigers were dismissed for 286 during the morning session, having resumed at a precarious 8-234.

An unlikely 59 from pace bowler Sam Rainbird – just his second first-class 50 – helped to trim the first-innings deficit to 168 runs.

If Tasmania lose, they will need to win their remaining two matches and hope other results go their way to earn a spot in the final at the end of the month.

Victoria XI: Marcus Harris, Travis Dean, Will Pucovski, Nic Maddinson, Cameron White, Matt Short, Seb Gotch, Chris Tremain, Scott Boland, Jon Holland, Andrew Fekete

Tasmania XI: Jordan Silk, Alex Doolan, Charlie Wakim, Matthew Wade, Jake Doran, Ben McDermott, Jarrod Freeman, Sam Rainbird, Jackson Bird, Gabe Bell, Riley Meredith