Looking for this year’s Behemoth Stakes (SAJC Spring Stakes) betting odds, field and tips? The experts at Neds have put together everything you need to know before this year’s race.
Behemoth Stakes (Spring Stakes) 2026 Results
The official 2026 Behemoth Stakes (SAJC Spring Stakes) results will be available below once the race takes place on Saturday, August 8, 2026.
- #3 Sir Now
- #12 Cicala
- #2 Lim's Saltoro
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 Odds & Finishing Order
The 2026 Behemoth Stakes odds are already tightening as punters target Morphettville’s premier late‑winter sprint, with early Behemoth Stakes odds 2026 markets focusing on proven 1200m specialists, fresh spring hopefuls and fitness‑forward runners resuming with strong ratings. As one of South Australia’s key Group 3 features, Behemoth Stakes betting consistently offers value thanks to tempo‑driven setups, reliable local form lines and sharp market moves from leading stables. With speed‑map pressure, sectional strength and stable intent all shaping prices in the lead‑up, this year’s edition promises another competitive betting contest — making it a prime early‑season play for Neds punters chasing confidence and strong returns.
The latest Behemoth Stakes 2026 odds followed by the official race finishing order after the event will be available below.
| 3. Sir Now (11) J: Connor Murtagh 58.5kg 11232T: Darryl Hewitt | ||
| 12. Cicala (12) J: Rochelle Milnes 56.5kg 51×74T: Will Clarken & Charlotte Sorby | ||
| 2. Lim’s Saltoro (9) J: Noel Callow 58.5kg 5420xT: Dan Meagher | ||
| 8. Mating Call (4) J: Tala Hutchinson 56.5kg 4122xT: Dan Clarken & Oopy Macgillivray | ||
| 1. Air Assault (8) J: Jason Holder 58.5kg x768xT: Andrew Gluyas | ||
| 7. Lingani (10) J: Brooke King 56.5kg 02121T: Peter & Belinda Blanch | ||
| 10. Mystic Wonder (1) J: Caitlin Tootell 56.5kg 67132T: Gordon Richards & Damien Moyle | ||
| 13. Zunna (2) J: Will Price 56.5kg x1525T: Phillip & Tommy Stokes | ||
| 6. Shady Thinker (5) J: Jackson Murphy 58.5kg x150xT: Aaron Bain & Ned Taylor | ||
| 5. Great Maximus (7) J: Harry Grace 58.5kg 23336T: Richard & Chantelle Jolly | ||
| 11. Swiftie Harriet (13) J: Ben Price 56.5kg 74322T: Travis Doudle | ||
| 9. Vestas (6) J: Todd Pannell 56.5kg 348×8T: Anthony & Sam Freedman | ||
| 4. Tippa (3) J: Kayla Crowther 58.5kg 1x52xT: Shayne & Chelsea Cahill |
Behemoth Stakes (Spring Stakes) 2026 Tips
Our insider tips on the 2026 Behemoth Stakes (SAJC Spring Stakes) will be detailed here the week of the spring lead-up and a full Behemoth Stakes / SJAC Spring Stakes Day betting preview available on the Neds Blog.
The South Australian Jockey Club’s Spring Stakes – not to be confused with the Newcastle Jockey Club’s 3YO Spring Stakes held in November – is a Group 3 sprint race contested in mid-August each year at Morphettville Racecourse and currently known as the Behemoth Stakes.
The opening Group race of the season in Adelaide, the weight-for-age showdown has been run and won since 1970 and serves as a key lead-up for horses eyeing a trip to Victoria for the famous Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.
After holding Group 2 status from 1979–1997, the race was demoted to a Group 3 event in 1998.
Plenty of quality sprinters have won the Spring Stakes over the years including: Toltrice (1973), three-time consecutive hero Redelva (1988-90) who went on to win the following year’s Group 1 William Reid Stakes in Melbourne, Flavour (2001), Super Elegant (2005), Royal Ida (2006), Rebel Raider (2010), Happy Trails (2012), Dalasan (2019), and recent two-time winner Behemoth (2020-21) who the event was renamed in honour of in 2023.
The SAJC Spring Stakes graduates often head to Melbourne next start for a race like the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m). Behemoth completed the SAJC Spring Stakes – Memsie Stakes double in both 2020 and 2021 after winning the Group 3 a second time on protest.
Behemoth Stakes (Spring Stakes) 2026 – Quick Info
- Current Race Name: Behemoth Stakes (since 2023)
- Race Day: Saturday, August 8, 2026
- Track: Morphettville Racecourse
- Surface: Turf
- Distance: 1400m
- Weight Class: Weight for Age
- Qualification: No restrictions
- Type: Thoroughbred
- Grade: Group 3
- Operator: South Australian Jockey Club (SAJC)
- Purse: $150,000
- Inaugural Race: 1970
- 2026 Spring Stakes Winner: Sir Now
Behemoth Stakes (Spring Stakes) Betting 2026
There are many different ways to bet on the Behemoth Stakes (SAJC Spring Stakes), and we have included some of the most popular options below:
| Bet Type | How To Place This Type of Bet on This Year’s Behemoth Stakes (Spring Stakes) |
|---|---|
| Win Bet | Place your bet on the horse you think will take first place in this year’s Behemoth Stakes. |
| Place Bet | Place your bet on the horse you think will place in the top three finishers at this year’s Behemoth Stakes. Pays less than a win bet but offers safer odds. |
| Each-Way Bet | If your runner finishes 1st in the Behemoth Stakes, you will collect both the Win and the Place dividend. If your horse finishes 2nd or 3rd you will collect the Place dividend. |
| Quinella Bet | You must select the runners that finish 1st and 2nd in any order, within the Behemoth Stakes, in order to win the Quinella. |
| Exacta Bet | You must select the runners that finish 1st and 2nd in the correct order, within the Behemoth Stakes to win the Exacta. |
| Trifecta Bet | You must select runners to finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the correct order, within the Behemoth Stakes to win the Trifecta. |
| First Four | You must select runners that finish 1st, 2nd ,3rd and 4th in the correct order, within the Behemoth Stakes to win the First 4. |
| Quadrella Bet (Quaddie) | You must select the winners of four nominated races to win the Quaddie. This means you would have to select three other races apart from the Behemoth Stakes, in order to be eligible to place a Quaddie. |
How to Bet on the Behemoth Stakes in 2026
- Login at Neds
- Make a deposit, using your credit card, PayPal or other safe electronic method
- Make sure to check out the form guide, once it’s released
- Decide what kind of bet you’re going to place (Win, Place, Each-Way, Trifecta + more betting options
- Select the horse(s) for the race.
Which Horse Will Win the Behemoth Stakes (Spring Stakes)?
Which horse will win the 2026 Behemoth Stakes (SAJC Spring Stakes) comes down to a number of key form factors including the barriers, form over the 1200m distance and their previous Group race experience.
When selecting the Behemoth Stakes winner, it is also important to consider:
- Local Heroes: Locally trained South Australian horses have dominated the SAJC Spring Stakes results over the years.
- Macdonald Factor: Trainer Leon Macdonald has an excellent record having prepared five past SAJC Spring Stakes winners including most recently Dalasan (2019).
- Boys’ Club: Beirut (2016) was the last mare to win the SAJC Spring Stakes until the back-to-back wins by See You In Heaven (2023-24).
Behemoth Stakes (Spring Stakes) Favourites 2026
The favourites in Behemoth Stakes (SAJC Spring Stakes) betting for 2026 will be updated here the week of the race.
Behemoth ($2.50 in 2020 and $1.65 in 2021 on protest), See You In Heaven ($2.15 in 2023 and $3.30 in 2024), and Sir Now ($4.60 in 2026) are the latest Behemoth Stakes favourites to win.
Behemoth Stakes (Spring Stakes) 2026 Field
The official 2026 Behemoth Stakes (SAJC Spring Stakes) field of final acceptances is made public on the Wednesday of race week and will be available right here.
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.
| 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 |
Behemoth Stakes (Spring Stakes) 2026 Raceday
2026 Behemoth Spring Stakes Day is scheduled for Saturday, August 8, 2026 at Morphettville Racecourse.
The meeting is held on the same date as the Group 2 Missile Stakes (1200m) in Sydney.
Behemoth Stakes (Spring Stakes) 2026 Barrier Draw
The official 2026 Behemoth Stakes (SAJC Spring Stakes) barrier draw takes place the week of the race and will be published in our above Behemoth Stakes (Spring Stakes) Field section.
Behemoth Stakes (Spring Stakes) 2026 Nominations
2026 Behemoth Stakes (Spring Stakes) nominations will be announced on the Monday of race week 12:30pm (AEST) with the full list of early entries to be published below.
Behemoth Stakes (Spring Stakes) 2026 Weights
The Behemoth Stakes / SAJC Spring Stakes is a weight-for-age event with three-year-old fillies carrying the least weight in the event. Standard weight-for-age conditions apply. Final 2026 Behemoth Stakes weights on the final acceptors will be published in our above Behemoth Stakes (Spring Stakes) Field section.
Behemoth Stakes (spring Stakes) 2026 Acceptances
2026 Behemoth Stakes (SJAC Spring Stakes) final acceptances close the Wednesday of race week and will be available in full in our above Behemoth Stakes (Spring Stakes) Field section.
Behemoth Stakes (Spring Stakes) 2026 Jockeys
Jockeys for the 2026 Behemoth Stakes (SAJC Spring Stakes) must be declared following acceptances and will be available in our above Behemoth Stakes (Spring Stakes) Field section.
Behemoth Stakes (Spring Stakes) 2026 Scratchings
2026 Behemoth Stakes scratchings must be declared by 7:30AM on race day morning, Saturday, August 8, 2026.
Behemoth Stakes (Spring Stakes) Prize Money 2026
The 2026 Behemoth Stakes / SAJC Spring Stakes prize money is set at a total of $150,000 with prize money paid from first to tenth.
| Place | Prize Money |
|---|---|
| 1st | $82,000 |
| 2nd | $26,750 |
| 3rd | $13,250 |
| 4th | $7,500 |
| 5th | $5,500 |
| 6th | $3,000 |
| 7th | $3,000 |
| 8th | $3,000 |
| 9th | $3,000 |
| 10th | $3,000 |
Behemoth Stakes (Spring Stakes) Race Number 2026
The 2026 Behemoth Stakes / SAJC Spring Stakes race number is scheduled as Morphettville Race 7 at 3:37pm (ACST) / 4:07pm (AEST) on Saturday, August 8, 2026. A total of nine races runs at Morphettville Racecourse.
Behemoth Stakes (Spring Stakes) 2026 Form Guide
The final form guide will be available the Wednesday of race week. You can check below for a link to our full 2026 Behemoth Stakes (SAJC Spring Stakes) Form Guide following final acceptances.
FULL 2026 BEHEMOTH STAKES FORM GUIDE & RACE FACTS
SAJC Spring Stakes / Behemoth Stakes Winners
Winners of the SAJC Spring Stakes / Behemoth Stakes going back to the race’s inauguration in 1970 are detailed in the table below.
| 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 |