Adam Gilchrist and Damien Martyn bludgeoned centuries in a devastating partnership that left Australia in complete control of the second Test against New Zealand on Sunday.
Martyn made a career-best 165 while Gilchrist belted 162 to help Australia post a daunting first innings total of 570 for eight declared.
New Zealand crashed to 122 for four in reply at stumps on the third day and facing the likelihood of having to bat for another two days just to save the Test.
Gilchrist said Australia were supremely confident of victory after New Zealand crumbled to lose last week's opening Test by nine wickets inside four days.
"Pressure is an amazing thing," Gilchrist said.
"We've got a lot of runs on the board, we've got a batting line-up that has crumbled against our attack last week."
Glenn McGrath did the early damage with the ball, trapping New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming lbw for a golden duck after he failed to offer a shot, then dismissing the in-form Hamish Marshall for 18, caught by Jason Gillespie at long leg after a mistimed pull shot.
Opener Craig Cumming departed for 37 when he chopped a ball from Michael Kasprowicz on then Nathan Astle gave Shane Warne a simple catch at slip off part-time spinner Michael Clarke.
Recalled batsman Lou Vincent survived the carnage around him to reach the close on 38 with nightwatchman James Franklin unbeaten on six.
Despite their seemingly hopeless position, Cumming said he was quietly confident they could hold the Australians to a draw with rain possible.
"We're only four down. You just try to break it down, ball by ball, session by session. The most important thing tomorrow is getting through that first hour," Cumming said.
"I don't think the pitch is going to have a huge say, it probably just comes down to skills."
BRUTAL DISPLAY
Ricky Ponting declared Australia's innings half an hour before tea in the rain-interrupted match after a brutal display of hitting by Gilchrist and Martyn provided them with a total large enough to chase an innings victory.
The first session was delayed because of rain and fog but the two Australians still managed to pile on 90 runs in the 14 overs they faced to set the tempo for the day.
Martyn, who started the day on 106, smashed 24 fours in a 287-ball innings that ended when he edged Iain O'Brien to wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum before tea.
Gilchrist, who has scored centuries in his last three Test innings, was even more aggressive as he racked up his 15th Test hundred and his second highest score.
The left-hander whacked 22 fours and five sixes off just 146 balls before he was caught and bowled by Franklin, who finished with four wickets to be the pick of the Kiwi bowlers.
Australian leg spinner Shane Warne rubbed salt into the wounds when he smashed 50 off 37 deliveries to help Australia set their highest score in New Zealand.
The first day's play was washed out because of rain and despite the late start on Sunday a result still seems possible after the umpires agreed to lengthen the remaining two days to make up for lost time.
Scorecard
Australia (1st innings): (overnight 337-5)
J.Langer c McCullum b Vettori 46
M.Hayden c Vincent b Franklin 61
R.Ponting lbw Vettori 9
D.Martyn c McCullum b O'Brien 165
M.Clarke c Fleming b Astle 8
S.Katich c McCullum b Franklin 35
A.Gilchrist c and b Franklin 162
S.Warne not out 50
J.Gillespie b Franklin 2
M.Kasprowicz not out 2.
Extras: (b-4, lb-8, w-2, nb-16) 30.
Total: (for eight wickets, declared, 140 overs) 570
Did not bat: G.McGrath.
Fall of wickets: 1-82, 2-100, 3-146, 4-163, 5-247, 6-503, 7-557, 8-559.
Bowling: Martin 28-6-123-0 (nb-6), Franklin 28-4-128-4 (nb-10, w-2), O'Brien 24-4-97-1, Vettori 47-5-170-2, Astle 13-2-40-1
New Zealand (1st innings):
C.Cumming b Kasprowicz 37
S.Fleming lbw McGrath 0
H.Marshall c Gillespie b McGrath 18
L.Vincent not out 38
N.Astle c Warne b Clarke 9
J.Franklin not out 6.
Extras: (b-3, lb-7, nb-3, w-1) 14.
Total: (for four wickets, 39 overs) 122
To bat: C.McMillan, B.McCullum, D.Vettori, I.O'Brien, C.Martin.
Fall of wickets: 1-9, 2-55, 3-78, 4-108
Bowling: McGrath 8-1-31-2 (nb-1 w-1), Gillespie 11-3-32-0, Kasprowicz 7-0-16-1 (nb-2), Warne 10-1-25-0, Clarke 3-1-8-1.
