Behemoth Stakes 2026 Betting Odds & Race Preview

The latest edition of the Behemoth Stakes took place on Saturday, August 8, 2026 as the opening Group race in Adelaide for the new racing season and was won by the favourite, Sir Now ($4.60F), for his breakthrough Group 3 success.

The 2026 Behemoth Stakes (formerly the Spring Stakes) shapes as one of Morphettville’s key early‑season features, and Ladbrokes punters are already locking onto the latest Behemoth Stakes odds and expert Behemoth Stakes betting tips for this important 1200m Group 3 race. As a proven launching pad for WFA performers and spring‑bound talent, the Behemoth Stakes consistently delivers sharp market moves, strong provincial‑to‑metro form lines and plenty of value for punters chasing an edge on their spring racing carnival bets. With progressive types on the rise and stable confidence driving early prices, here punters can find the essential Behemoth Stakes betting insights, trends and race predictions needed to make place a confident Behemoth Stakes bet on one of the most influential early‑spring races on the Australian spring racing calendar.

2026 Behemoth Stakes (Spring Stakes) Results

The Behemoth Stakes (Spring Stakes) 2026 results and full finishing order of the winter sprint will be published below once the race is run and won on Saturday, August 8, 2026.

Sir Now ($4.60F) produced a tough, front‑running performance to dominate the 2026 Behemoth Stakes results at Morphettville, handing trainer Darryl Hewitt a milestone first Group 3 victory as the iron‑horse powered through testing ground and surged to the outside rail under a perfectly judged ride from Connor Murtagh. The bargain buy — secured for just $7000 and now a ten‑time winner with earnings beyond $500k — dug in late to fend off Cicala, with Lim’s Saltoro finishing third, confirming his newfound strength at 1200m and reinforcing his reputation as one of South Australia’s most durable sprinters. Hewitt hailed both the horse’s grit and Murtagh’s ability to find the right part of the track, and with confidence high, upcoming targets such as the Wylie Handicap and even a Golden Saddle tilt are firmly in play as Sir Now continues his rise.

2026 Behemoth Stakes (Spring Stakes) Odds & Finishing Order

Stay tuned for the full Behemoth Stakes (Spring Stakes) 2026 betting markets and links to the final acceptors to be published below once odds are released followed by the official finishing order after the event.

Behemoth Stakes (Spring Stakes) Tips

Top Behemoth Stakes (Spring Stakes) tips include looking for runners with a strong record over the distance (1200m), locally-trained Adelaide runners with a good strike-rate at the Morphettville track and Black-Type graduates coming off good lead-up winter runs.

Backing the male gallopers is another solid Spring Stakes betting tip as Beirut (2016) and See You In Heaven (2023) are the only mares to beat home the boys in the event since 2015, while no filly has been successful since Hartbalm (1977).

Another key Behemoth Stakes (Spring Stakes) tip is to get behind any in-form runner prepared by Leon Macdonald who has won the event five times with Will Fly (1998), Spice Doll (2000), El Maze (2008), Rebel Raider (2010), and most recently Dalasan (2019).

David Jolly meanwhile prepared three straight winners from 2020-22.

Ladbrokes Tip: The Behemoth Stakes (SAJC Spring Stakes) runs in the winter each August and is an important event for returning spring hopefuls.

2026 Behemoth Stakes (Spring Stakes) Tips

Our insider tips on the Behemoth Stakes in 2026 will be published below once the field and form guide are released.

The Spring Stakes – now run as the Behemoth Stakes – is a 1200m sprint race contested at Morphettville Racecourse in mid-August each year by the South Australian Jockey Club (SAJC) and is not to be confused with the Newcastle Jockey Club’s 3YO Spring Stakes race held in November.

A key lead-up into the bigger and better races of the upcoming Spring Racing Carnivals, the weight-for-age event currently offers $150,000 in prize money.

Contested on the same date as Sydney’s Group 2 Missile Stakes (1200m), the SAJC Spring Stakes race was first run in 1970.

Having taken place in September prior to 2006, it is now the opening Group race held in Adelaide for the new racing season.

From 1979–1997 the race held Group 2 status before being demoted to a Group 3 event from 1998 onwards.

A number of nice horses have won the SAJC Spring Stakes over the years including triple champion Redelva (1988-90) who went on to win the following year’s Group 1 William Reid Stakes in Melbourne, and recent two-time winner Behemoth (2020-21) who the race was renamed in honour of in 2023.

Behemoth Stakes (Spring Stakes) Race Info

• Current Race Name: Behemoth Stakes (since 2023)
• Date: Saturday, August 8, 2026
• Track: Morphettville Racecourse
• Distance: 1200m
• Conditions: Weight-for-age
• Status: Group 3
• Prize Money: $150,000
• First Run: 1970

Behemoth Stakes (Spring Stakes) Betting

Behemoth Stakes (Spring Stakes) betting is traditionally led by resuming spring-bound sprinters proven in tougher grade races.

Any horses that contested previous editions of the event sit high up the Spring Stakes odds each season, as do past Group 1 performers down in grade for their spring campaign kick-offs.

Locally-trained, older runners dominate the markets and have an outstanding recent strike-rate.

Behemoth ($2.50 in 2020 and $1.65 in 2021), See You In Heaven ($2.15 in 2023 and $3.30 in 2024) and Sir Now ($4.60 in 2026) are the latest favourite in Spring Stakes / Behemoth Stakes betting to win.

Behemoth Stakes (Spring Stakes) Field

The Behemoth Stakes (Spring Stakes) race field attracts both end-of-season winter runners as well as spring-bound hopefuls kicking off the new season campaigns.

The Behemoth Stakes (Spring Stakes) nominations are taken the Monday of race week with final acceptances closing on the Wednesday.

2026 Behemoth Stakes (Spring Stakes) Field

The official Behemoth Stakes (Spring Stakes) 2026 final field of sprinters is announced the Wednesday of race week and will be updated below once confirmed.

The 2026 Behemoth Stakes final field features a smart line-up of 13 winter and spring-bound sprinters including the in-form Darryl Hewitt-trained Sir Now who recently ran third in Caulfield’s Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes and the talented Lingani coming off a win at the track.

Morphettville R7 - Sportsbet Behemoth Stakes (G3)

Final Race time: 

	Entrant	Last 6	Sex	Barrier	Weight
	1. Air Assault J: Jason Holder T: Andrew Gluyas	8x768x	G	8	58.5kg
	2. Lim's Saltoro J: Noel Callow T: Dan Meagher	x5420x	G	9	58.5kg
	3. Sir Now J: Connor Murtagh T: Darryl Hewitt	211232	G	11	58.5kg
	4. Tippa J: Kayla Crowther T: Shayne & Chelsea Cahill	11x52x	G	3	58.5kg
	5. Great Maximus J: Harry Grace T: Richard & Chantelle Jolly	423336	G	7	58.5kg
	6. Shady Thinker J: Jackson Murphy T: Aaron Bain & Ned Taylor	4x150x	G	5	58.5kg
	7. Lingani J: Brooke King T: Peter & Belinda Blanch	502121	M	10	56.5kg
	8. Mating Call J: Tala Hutchinson T: Dan Clarken & Oopy Macgillivray	44122x	M	4	56.5kg
	9. Vestas J: Todd Pannell T: Anthony & Sam Freedman	x348x8	M	6	56.5kg
	10. Mystic Wonder J: Caitlin Tootell T: Gordon Richards & Damien Moyle	167132	M	1	56.5kg
	11. Swiftie Harriet J: Ben Price T: Travis Doudle	074322	M	13	56.5kg
	12. Cicala J: Rochelle Milnes T: Will Clarken & Charlotte Sorby	151x74	M	12	56.5kg
	13. Zunna J: Will Price T: Phillip & Tommy Stokes	2x1525	M	2	56.5kg

View Results

2026 Behemoth Stakes (Spring Stakes) Nominations

Early nominations for the Behemoth Stakes 2026 race at Morphettville close the Monday of race week.

Behemoth Stakes (Spring Stakes) Form Guide

The Behemoth Stakes (Spring Stakes) form guide, released when final acceptances close on the Wednesday before the race runs that Saturday, details crucial information like the jockeys and barriers as well as the lead-up runs of the sprinters in the field.

The Spring Stakes form has stacked up in future interstate Spring Racing Carnival races a number of times in recent years.

In 2018 the SAJC Spring Stakes winner Dollar For Dollar (2018) finished second in that year’s Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m). He would also continue on to finish third in the next year’s Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) in Brisbane.

In 2019, the Spring Stakes winner Dalasan headed to Melbourne next-up and saluted in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1200m) at Flemington Racecourse. Dalasan was also runner-up in the 2020 Group 1 SA Derby, further franking the form. Scales Of Justice meanwhile improved on his 2019 Spring Stakes second to win Caulfield’s Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) next start.

The following year the 2020 Spring Stakes winner Behemoth went on to complete the Memsie Stakes – Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes double in Melbourne.

Behemoth also won the 2021 Spring Stakes on protest and continued on to also successfully defend his Memsie Stakes title having earlier run third in that autumn’s then $5 million The All-Star Mile.

2026 Behemoth Stakes Form Guide

A link to our complete 2026 Behemoth Stakes Form Guide will be provided for punters below the week of the race.

COMPLETE 2026 BEHEMOTH STAKES FORM GUIDE & RACE COMMENTARY

Past Spring Stakes / Behemoth Stakes Results

There has been four multiple SAJC Spring Stakes winners throughout history: Samist (1974-75); Redelva (1988-90); Hero Wind (1994, 1995, 1997); and most recently Behemoth (2020-21).

Behemoth (2020 and 2021) was the last horse to complete the Spring Stakes – Memsie Stakes double.

Behemoth won his second title in 2021 on protest after originally being second past the post behind Beau Rossa who was subsequently demoted to runner-up.

Sky Cuddle holds the current 1200m SAJC Sprint Stakes race record winning in a time of 1 minute 9.64 seconds in 2004.

Other noteworthy Spring Stakes winners include: Toltrice (1973), Flavour (2001), Super Elegant (2005), Royal Ida (2006), Rebel Raider (2010), Happy Trails (2012), and Dalasan (2019).

See You In Heaven (2023 & 2024) was the last mare to win when taking out the first official running of the renamed Behemoth Stakes and then defending her title 12 months on.

Recent SAJC Spring Stakes / Behemoth Stakes Winners

Spring Stakes / Behemoth Stakes winners and placegetters dating back to 1970 are detailed in the below table.

Year	Winner	Second	Third
2026	Sir Now	Cicala	Lim’s Saltoro
2025	Queman	Recommendation	Lingani
2024	See You In Heaven	My Khalifa	Air Assault
2023	See You In Heaven	Savatoxl	Manhatten Times
2022	Calypso Reign	Pindaric	Pimm’s Party
2021	Behemoth (On Protest)	Beau Rossa	Ritratto
2020	Behemoth	Dalasan	Kemalpasa
2019	Dalasan	Scales Of Justice	Waging War
2018	Dollar For Dollar	Hard Empire	Inn Keeper
2017	Mio Dio	Lord Aspen	Casino Wizard
2016	Beirut	Riziz	Rocket Commander
2015	Red Eclipse	Whitlam	Richie’s Vibe
2014	Riziz	Light It Up	Karacatis
2013	Just Discreet	Meliora	Golden Penny
2012	Happy Trails	Gossip Girl	Southern Speed
2011	Uxorious	Periduki	Valentine Miss
2010	Rebel Raider	Xaieta	Likable Will
2009	Midnight Mustang	Magical Pearl	Cerberus Gal
2008	El Maze	Sensational Toy	Niconero
2007	Zupaone	Amyjaye Power	El Maze
2006	Royal Ida	Shablec	Bruges
2005	Super Elegant	Fly For Me	Squillani
2004	Sky Cuddle	Squillani	Zip Zip Aray
2003	Squillani	Nadema	Lawsons Storm
2002	Strategic Image	Romilada	Star Hit
2001	Flavour	Spice Doll	Star Hit
2000	Spice Doll	Hand Pass	Euclase Pat
1999	Star Joe	Sports	Lake Villa
1998	Will Fly	Astralita	Madonna
1997	Hero Wind	Port Watch	Minegold
1996	Staaraq	Hero Wind	Buzzoff
1995	Hero Wind	Blue Boss	Scrupulous
1994	Hero Wind	Rubique	Subastral
1993	Colebrook	Rubique	Game Ginty
1992	Black Rouge	Dark Ksar	Squire Gray
1991	Beau George	Feeling	Bar Flyer
1990	Redelva	Dancers Choice	Godemus
1989	Redelva	Pressmans Choice	Prince Anton
1988	Redelva	Lockleys Tradition	Eastern Classic
1987	Change Of Habit	Baptize	French Cotton
1986	Romantic Red	Lord Galaxy	Wild Rampage
1985	Trichelle	Belcunda	Arctic Wolf
1984	Gold Kildare	Copper Rocket	To The Wind
1983	Belcunda	Galleon	Goldwood
1982	Oriental Ruler	Harpagus	Pure Of Heart
1981	Bargambler	Bold Prospect	Ducatoon
1980	Rumpus Room	Ranger’s Son	Blue And White
1979	Court Sabre	Atropine	Panamint
1978	Pelican Point	Bonfield	Double East
1977	Hartbalm	Raffindale	Tetranate
1976	Classic Conquest	Silent Gift	How Now
1975	Samist	Kymwood	Quaffable
1974	Samist	Storm Duke	Celestial Choice
1973	Toltrice	Eleazar	Samist
1972	High Gypsy	Crown	Mikado
1971	Romantic Son	Eastern Court	Lancelot
1970	Eastern Court	Eleazar	Tutuila

FAQ

How do I bet on the 2026 Behemoth Stakes (Spring Stakes)?

Bet online or via the latest iOS/Android apps with Ladbrokes.
The first step is to create an account at Ladbrokes. The process is quick and easy!
Once you've created your account you can make a deposit via credit card, or any other of our secure payment methods. Next up, head to the racing page and find the race and runner that's right for you.

Which horse will win the 2026 Behemoth Stakes (Spring Stakes)?

The best way to pick which horse will win the Behemoth Stakes (Spring Stakes) is to take into account the form, assess the barriers, and consider the weight the horse will carry (among other factors). Check out Ladbrokes in the lead up to the race for full form information.

When is the Behemoth Stakes 2026?

The 2026 Behemoth Stakes is set to run on Saturday the 8th of August in Adelaide. It is scheduled as Morphettville Race 7 at 3:37pm (ACST) / 4:07pm (AEST) on Saturday's nine-race Behemoth Stakes Day card.

What is the prize money for the Behemoth Stakes 2026?

The 2026 Behemoth Stakes prize money is set at $150,000 which is paid from 1st to 10th place including $82,000 going to the Behemoth Stakes winner.

Where is the Behemoth Stakes 2026?

The 2026 Behemoth Stakes will run at Morphettville Racecourse in Adelaide, which is located at 79 Morphett Rd, Morphettville SA 5043.

What distance is the Behemoth Stakes run over?

The Behemoth Stakes race distance is set at 1200m (six furlongs) which is a typical sprint distance.

Who won the 2026 Behemoth Stakes?

The 2026 Behemoth Stakes was won by five-year-old Sir Prancealot gelding Sir Now at $4.60 favouritism for trainer Darryl Hewitt with jockey Connor Murtagh aboard on 58.5kg from barrier 11 to win by 0.82 lengths in a time of 1:13.68 on a Soft (7) track.

Who won the 2025 Behemoth Stakes?

The 2025 Behemoth Stakes was won by seven-year-old Mint Lane gelding Queman at $8.50 for trainers Shane & Cassie Oxlade with jockey Connor Murtagh aboard on 58.5kg from barrier 5 to win by 0.26 lengths on a Soft (6) track in a time of 1:11.61.