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The Spring Stakes 2026 ran on Saturday August 8, 2026 at Morphettville Racecourse as the Behemoth Stakes and saw the Darryl Hewitt-trained favourite Sir Now ($4.60F) post his maiden Group success. 

The 2026 Behemoth Stakes takes centre stage at Morphettville as one of South Australia’s premier late-winter sprints, and Races.com.au readers are already diving into the latest Behemoth Stakes odds and early Behemoth Stakes betting insights for this high-quality Group 3 showdown. Renowned for producing strong 1200m form lines and launching spring-bound sprinters, the race regularly delivers sharp market moves, proven local performers and emerging talent on the rise. With tempo, fitness and Morphettville’s spacious layout all playing major roles in shaping the betting landscape, this page gives punters the key trends, stats and value angles needed to stay ahead of the market — your essential guide to one of Adelaide’s most influential early-season features.

2026 Behemoth Stakes (Spring Stakes) Results

Stay tuned for the official 2026 Behemoth Stakes results and finishing order on Saturday August 8, 2026. 

• 1st: No. 3 Sir Now ($4.60F)
• 2nd: No. 12 Cicala
• 3rd: No. 2 Lim’s Saltoro

Winning Margin: 0.82 lengths

Winning Time: 1:13.68

Sir Now ($4.60F) delivered a breakthrough moment for trainer Darryl Hewitt at Morphettville on Saturday, powering through heavy conditions to head the 2026 Behemoth Stakes results and secure his first Group 3 triumph. The bargain buy — snapped up for just $7000 and now a ten-time winner with more than $500k banked — rolled forward under Connor Murtagh, who steered him to the outside rail and kept him balanced before the tough gelding dug in late to hold off Cicala with Lim’s Saltoro third. The victory marked Sir Now’s first success at 1200m and capped a career-defining day for Hewitt, who praised Murtagh’s judgement and the horse’s trademark grit. With options now opening up, including the Wylie Handicap and even a Golden Saddle tilt, Sir Now’s latest performance reinforced his reputation as one of South Australia’s most durable and determined sprinters.

2026 Behemoth Stakes Odds & Finishing Order

See below for the latest Behemoth Stakes odds followed by the official finishing order after the event this winter.

2026 Behemoth Stakes Tips

Stay tuned for our insider Behemoth Stakes 2026 tips ahead of the Morphettville Group 3 this August.

The Spring Stakes (SAJC) – now run as the Behemoth Stakes – is a Group 3 sprinting event held at Adelaide’s Morphettville Racecourse in August each year and is run by the South Australian Jockey Club (SAJC).

Kicking off the minor Spring Racing Carnival in Adelaide, the Spring Stakes is an exciting weight-for-age sprint raced over 1200m for a total purse of $150,000.

For months after the Spring Stakes attracts a quality line-up of mainly local hopefuls mixed with interstate visitors looking for an early Black-Type to kick off their spring campaigns in. While increasingly the interstate horses make the trek, it is the local sprinters who really step up to the plate and boast a commanding record in the Spring Stakes results.

Recently the form out of the Morphettville Spring Stakes held up in Melbourne when local hope Dollar For Dollar (2018) went on to run second in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m). The 2018 Spring Stakes winner Dollar For Dollar also placed third in the following year’s Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) in Brisbane.

In 2019 the Spring Stakes winner Dalasan travelled to Melbourne next start and won the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1200m) at Flemington. He also went on to run second in the following year’s Group 1 SA Derby in 2020. Further franking the form out of the Spring Stakes results in 2019 was the runner-up Scales Of Justice who won Caulfield’s Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) next start.

In 2020 the Spring Stakes winner Behemoth went on to win both the Memsie Stakes and Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Group 1 level.

Behemoth returned in 2021 to officially secure back-to-back Spring Stakes victories after claiming the Group 3 on protest. Behemoth again completed the Spring Stakes – Memsie Stakes double in 2021 having earlier run third in that autumn’s The All-Star Mile.

In 2023 the Spring Stakes was renamed in honour of Behemoth and known as the Behemoth Stakes.

See You In Heaven (2023-24) was the last back-to-back Behemoth Stakes winner.

Behemoth Stakes (Spring Stakes)
Date:	Saturday August 8, 2026
Track:	Morphettville
Distance:	1200m
Race Type:	WFA
Status:	Group 3
Prize Money:	$150,000

2026 Behemoth Stakes (Spring Stakes) Betting Odds

The season’s leading Behemoth Stakes (Spring Stakes) 2026 betting odds and market links to Ladbrokes.com.au will be available at Races.com.au the week of the race.

The race’s now namesake Behemoth ($2.50 in 2020 and $1.65 in 2021) who went back-to-back after winning his second 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 favourites in Spring Stakes / Behemoth Stakes betting to salute for the punters.

2026 Behemoth Stakes (Spring Stakes) Field

The official Behemoth Stakes (Spring Stakes) 2026 Field & Barriers will be published below once final acceptances are taken on the Wednesday of race week.

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.

No	Last 10	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Barrier	Weight	Penalty	Hcp Rating
1	81168x768x	AIR ASSAULT	Andrew Gluyas	Jason Holder	8	58.5kg		97
2	1132x5420x	LIM’S SALTORO (NZ)	Dan Meagher	Noel Callow	9	58.5kg		97
3	828×211232	SIR NOW	Darryl Hewitt	Connor Murtagh	11	58.5kg		93
4	333111x52x	TIPPA	Shayne & Chelsea Cahill	Ms Kayla Crowther	3	58.5kg		89
5	x534423336	GREAT MAXIMUS	Richard & Chantelle Jolly	Harry Grace	7	58.5kg		87
6	114x150x	SHADY THINKER	Aaron Bain & Ned Taylor	Jackson Murphy	5	58.5kg		72
7	x657502121	LINGANI	Peter & Belinda Blanch	Ms Brooke King (a)	10	56.5kg		97
8	635x44122x	MATING CALL	Dan Clarken & Oopy MacGillivray	Ms Tala Hutchinson (a)	4	56.5kg		95
9	7x05x348x8	VESTAS	Anthony & Sam Freedman	Todd Pannell	6	56.5kg		84
10	x052167132	MYSTIC WONDER	Gordon Richards & Damien Moyle	Ms Teagan Voorham	1	56.5kg		80
11	10×1074322	SWIFTIE HARRIET	Travis Doudle		13	56.5kg		77
12	11151×74	CICALA	Will Clarken & Charlotte Sorby	Ms Rochelle Milnes	12	56.5kg		75
13	3x012x1525	ZUNNA	Phillip & Tommy Stokes	Will Price	2	56.5kg		70

Table Credit: Racing Australia.

2026 Behemoth Stakes (Spring Stakes) Nominations

Early Behemoth Stakes (SAJC Spring Stakes) 2026 nominations close the Monday of race week.

2026 Behemoth Stakes (Spring Stakes) Form Guide

The Behemoth Stakes form guide gives punters a detailed snapshot of every runner lining up in Morphettville’s key 1200m Group 3 sprint. It breaks down each horse’s recent performances, preferred racing patterns, track and distance stats, and how they’re expected to map in a pressure-on sprint. Because the Behemoth Stakes often attracts a mix of proven local sprinters and fresh spring-bound types resuming, the form guide is one of the most valuable tools for identifying genuine winning chances and spotting early value in the Behemoth Stakes odds and Behemoth Stakes betting markets.

FULL 2026 BEHEMOTH STAKES FORM GUIDE

What to Look for in the Behemoth Stakes Form Guide:

• Recent 1200m form — The Behemoth Stakes is a pure sprint, so strong short-course form is essential. Horses with consistent ratings at 1100-1200m usually measure up well.
• First-up or second-up records — Many runners resume here ahead of bigger spring targets. A proven fresh record can be a major advantage.
• Morphettville track stats — Horses that handle Morphettville’s long straight and sweeping turns often perform strongly year after year.
• Speed-map position — Early tempo is crucial. On-pace runners or those who can settle close to the speed often get the best run in transit.
• Sectional strength — Look for horses with fast closing splits or sustained mid-race pressure; these traits regularly win this race.
• Stable intent — South Australian trainers often target this race specifically, while interstate stables may use it as a stepping stone. Understanding each horse’s campaign plan helps shape betting markets.

Spring Stakes / Behemoth Stakes History

Redelva won the inaugural edition of the Spring Stakes in 1988 and then went on to win the race for the next two years. Redelva remains the only horse to seize three straight victories in the Spring Stakes. This compares to Hero Wind, who has also won three Spring Stakes, but not consecutively (1994, 1995, 1997).

There is a Group 3 race held in Newcastle that shares its name with the Morphettville Spring Stakes, although that is a mile event for three-year-olds run under set weight conditions.

Punters use Spring Stakes results for form guidance during the remainder of the spring in Adelaide. Because major racing tapers off, those quality sprinters who will be staying home for the season tend to seek nomination in the Spring Stakes.

Notable Spring Stakes winners include Black Rouge (1992), Super Elegant (2005), Rebel Raider (2010), Happy Trails (2012), Dollar For Dollar (2018), Dalasan (2019), subsequent Group 1 Memsie Stakes – Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes double winner Behemoth (2020, 2021) who the race was renamed in honour of in 2023, and fellow dual champ See You In Heaven (2023, 2024).

Behemoth won the 2021 Spring Stakes on protest over first-past-the-post Beau Rossa after copping interference.

See You In Heaven (2023, 2024) was the last Behemoth Stakes winning mare.

Spring Stakes and Behemoth Stakes results since 2000 are listed below.

Spring Stakes / Behemoth Stakes Results

Year	Place	Horse	Time
2026 Behemoth Stakes	1st	Sir Now	1 minute 13.68 seconds
	2nd	Cicala
	3rd	Lim’s Saltoro
2025 Behemoth Stakes	1st	Queman	1 minute 11.61 seconds
	2nd	Recommendation
	3rd	Lingani
2024 Behemoth Stakes	1st	See You In Heaven	1 minute 12.67 seconds
	2nd	My Khalifa
	3rd	Air Assault
2023 Behemoth Stakes	1st	See You In Heaven	1 minute 14.14 seconds
	2nd	Savatoxl
	3rd	Manhatten Times
2022 Spring Stakes	1st	Calypso Reign	1 minute 13.94 seconds
	2nd	Pindaric
	3rd	Pimm’s Party
2021 Spring Stakes	1st	Behemoth (On Protest)	1 minute 13.24 seconds
	2nd	Beau Rossa
	3rd	Ritratto
2020 Spring Stakes	1st	Behemoth	1 minute 10.80 seconds
	2nd	Dalasan
	3rd	Kemalpasa
2019 Spring Stakes	1st	Dalasan	1 minute 10.43 seconds
	2nd	Scales Of Justice
	3rd	Waging War
2018 Spring Stakes	1st	Dollar For Dollar	1 minute 12.02 seconds
	2nd	Hard Empire
	3rd	Inn Keeper
2017 Spring Stakes	1st	Mio Dio	1 minute 13.6 seconds
	2nd	Lord Aspen
	3rd	Casino Wizard
2016 Spring Stakes	1st	Beirut	1 minute 13.5 seconds
	2nd	Riziz
	3rd	Rocket Commander
2015 Spring Stakes	1st	Red Eclipse	1 minute 12.7 seconds
	2nd	Whitlam
	3rd	Richie’s Vibe
2014 Spring Stakes	1st	Riziz	1 minute 13.2 seconds
	2nd	Light It Up
	3rd	Karacatis
2013 Spring Stakes	1st	Just Discreet	1 minute 12.8 seconds
	2nd	Meliora
	3rd	Golden Penny
2012 Spring Stakes	1st	Happy Trails	1 minute 11.9 seconds
	2nd	Gossip Girl
	3rd	Southern Speed
2011 Spring Stakes	1st	Uxorious	1 minute 13.6 seconds
	2nd	Periduki
	3rd	Valentine Miss
2010 Spring Stakes	1st	Rebel Raider	1 minute 15.1 seconds
	2nd	Xaieta
	3rd	Likable Will
2009 Spring Stakes	1st	Midnight Mustang	1 minute 09.7 seconds
	2nd	Magical Pearl
	3rd	Cerberus Gal
2008 Spring Stakes	1st	El Maze	1 minute 13.2 seconds
	2nd	Sensational Toy
	3rd	Niconero
2007 Spring Stakes	1st	Zupaone	1 minute 11.8 seconds
	2nd	Amyjaye Power
	3rd	El Maze
2006 Spring Stakes	1st	Royal Ida	1 minute 09.9 seconds
	2nd	Shablec
	3rd	Bruges
2005 Spring Stakes	1st	Super Elegant	1 minute 09.9 seconds
	2nd	Fly For Me
	3rd	Squillani
2004 Spring Stakes	1st	Sky CUddle	1 minute 11.2 seconds
	2nd	Squillani
	3rd	Zip Zip Aray
2003 Spring Stakes	1st	Squillani	1 minute 11.5 seconds
	2nd	Nadema
	3rd	Lawsons Storm
2002 Spring Stakes	1st	Strategic Image	1 minute 11.1 seconds
	2nd	Romilada
	3rd	Star Hit
2001 Spring Stakes	1st	Flavour	1 minute 16.2 seconds
	2nd	Spice Doll
	3rd	Star Hit
2000 Spring Stakes	1st	Spice Doll	1 minute 15.2 seconds
	2nd	Hand Pass
	3rd	Euclase Pat

Behemoth Stakes FAQs

What is the Behemoth Stakes?
The Behemoth Stakes is a Group 3 sprint run at Morphettville over 1200m, held during South Australia’s late-winter racing period and known for producing strong early-spring form lines.

When is the 2026 Behemoth Stakes?
The 2026 edition takes place in August at Morphettville, kicking off a key stretch of SA sprinting features.

What distance is the Behemoth Stakes run over?
The race is contested over 1200 metres, favouring sharp sprinters, proven fresh performers and horses with strong short-course ratings.

How many horses run in the Behemoth Stakes?
Field sizes typically sit around 10-14 runners, offering a competitive but manageable lineup for punters studying the form.

Where is the Behemoth Stakes held?
The race is run at Morphettville Racecourse, South Australia’s premier metropolitan track with a long straight that rewards sustained speed.

What type of horses target the Behemoth Stakes?
The race attracts a mix of proven local sprinters, interstate raiders and early-spring hopefuls resuming ahead of bigger Group races.

What should punters look for in Behemoth Stakes betting?
Key factors include 1200m form, Morphettville track stats, first-up records, speed-map position and sectional strength — all crucial when assessing Behemoth Stakes odds.

Who are some notable past winners?
The race is named after dual winner Behemoth, with other strong performers often using the event as a springboard into higher-grade Melbourne and Sydney features, including Redelva (1988-90), Sky Cuddle (2004), Rebel Raider (2010), Behemoth (2020-21), and See You In Heaven (2023-24).