The Volts are 117 without loss in their second innings and lead Central Districts by 231 runs with a day remaining.
Opener Hamish Rutherford, who plundered a century in his first dig, is undefeated on 71. Brad Wilson, who also scored a hundred in the first innings, is 44 not out.
However, the friendly nature of the pitch is going to make setting up a chase a difficult equation, coach Rob Walter said.
``The hard part will be deciding what is [an] enticing [target] on a wicket that is flat,'' Walter said.
``Past experience suggests that it is quite hard to defend six an over in four-day cricket.
``If you are looking at an easy six an over that already takes you to probably beyond 350 or the 360 mark - if you think about what is doable.''
Central Districts resumed on 134 for one. The Volts did not have long to wait for a mistake with Mitchell Renwick spooning a catch to Neil Broom. He added five to his overnight score of 52.
Opener Greg Hay had played well for his 74 and continued to build on his innings, posting his eighth first-class century from 199 balls.
He was eventually out for 136 when he played inside a delivery from Sam Wells and was bowled.
Will Young's promising innings was stopped short on 36 when legspinner Rhys Phillips floated a delivery past his swinging bat, and Tom Bruce got a faint edge to a wide delivery from the hardworking Christi Viljoen after a sparkling knock of 78 from 74 balls.
Central declared at tea on 365 for five. While the home side conceded a deficit of 114 runs, it has bought some time for the run chase.
Rutherford got Otago's second innings off to brisk start. He was quickly finding the boundary again, although there were couple of skewed shots among his trademark drives and cuts.
Wilson was a rock at the other end and the pair put together their second 100-run stand of the match.
Wellington pair Brent Arnel and Jeetan Patel picked up four wickets apiece to help dismiss Auckland for 278 in its second innings at Bay Oval in Mt Maunganui.
The Firebirds are chasing 275 for the victory and were 66 without loss at stumps. It is advantage Wellington but the game has been evenly contested throughout and Auckland will feel it is still in the fight with a few early wickets today.
Northern Districts has wriggled out of a tight spot and now has a sniff in its match against Canterbury at Hagley Oval. It posted 415 in reply to Canterbury's first-innings total of 445. Wicketkeeper Tim Seifert continued the fight yesterday, reaching 81.
Canterbury is 93 for four and leads by 123 runs with a day left.
Effectively the home side is five wickets down with Chad Bowes having retired hurt after being struck by a bouncer.
