In-form sprinter Emblems has lived up to his favouritism to score his first black type win in the Listed Takeover Target Stakes at Gosford.

The Darley four-year-old started at $1.75 in Friday's 1200m feature sprint after winning his past two starts at Randwick and Rosehill.

His jockey Kerrin McEvoy took control of the race but was made to work hard on Emblems to hold off Dances On Stars ($8.50) by a neck with My Destiny ($51) another long head third.

Emblems won in a slick 1:09.6s.

"It was a hard test out there," McEvoy said.

"They really served it up to me.

"I rode him aggressively and I had to kick up to hold the rail.

"It was a dogged win and he is up to winning more black type races."

Trainer Peter Snowden's representative Brad Widdup said it was pleasing to see Emblems in such good form.

"He has really hit his straps," he said.

"I'm not sure where Peter will go with him.

"He was always aimed at this race but he is racing well enough to go on."