Victoria began the Sheffield Shield final by winning a crucial toss on a batsman's paradise at Traeger Park in Alice Springs, and the day only got progressively worse for South Australia.
Needing only a drawn match to retain their crown, Victoria scored at a good rate throughout the opening day to be 3-322 at stumps.
It is hard to imagine a worse day one for the Redbacks as they seek to end their 21-year Sheffield Shield final drought against the highly-favoured Victorians, who are on track for a their third successive title.
There were four dropped catches, two missed run outs and two sessions without a wicket as Victoria put on a demoralising 224-run opening stand as the SA bowlers toiled in the blistering Northern Territory heat.
Marcus Harris made the most of two dropped catches in quick succession to star for the Vics with a confident 120 - his second Shield final century in three seasons.
Travis Dean was more circumspect with his shot selection but still looked assured in his knock of 94.
Aaron Finch belted two sixes in his 38, while Rob Quiney (44 not out) and Bushrangers' captain Cameron White (7 not out) will resume at the crease on Monday morning.
Former West Australian Harris wasn't afraid to open his shoulders at times and brought up the 150-run opening stand with a straight six off leg-spinner Adam Zampa, before reaching his century off 167 balls.
"We are big on making a strong start to games, so it was a good first day, and nice to put on a big partnership with Deansy," Harris said.
"Fortunately they dropped a couple and it went our way.
"It was one of things where a lot of things happened quickly and we had to fight back and calm it down a bit.
"It is a good wicket here and if you get dropped two or three times you probably want to make sure you make a 100."
While Zampa (1-127) suffered the most under the Vics onslaught, seamer Chadd Sayers - the Shield's leading wicket-taker - managed to return 2-50 from 19 overs.
"It is a very good cricket wicket and a tough day in the heat," Sayers said.
"They batted well with Marcus Harris and Travis Dean getting off to a flyer but it doesn't help when you drop a few.
"We have to go again and come back in the morning and get some early wickets.
"It is a very good wicket, and so it should be.
"We just have to find a way to get through them."
