The Everest: Gerry Harvey and John Singleton believe a curse is haunting their mare Libertini

Libertini’s owners Gerry Harvey and John Singleton believe the mare is cursed and there’s another reason for them to think the streak of bad luck is real heading into The Everest.

Owners Gerry Harvey and John Singleton are hoping for an end to the Libertini Curse in The Everest. Picture: Grant Guy

When Libertini became troubled by a hoof issue earlier this month, her owner Gerry Harvey blamed it on the curse.

Harvey calls it “The Libertini curse”. If something can go wrong with the mare, it will.

Then just as Libertini gets over her injury scare and is being readied for the $15 million The TAB Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday – the weather turns.

The forecast is for more rain in Sydney on Thursday but she needs a dry track to produce her best. Again, Harvey puts it down to the “Libertini curse.”

“They just about bury you – horses, so much can go wrong,” Harvey said.

This story had its genesis more than three decades ago when Harvey met Sydney restaurateur, Mario Libertini. They organised to have a game of tennis together which has become their weekly ritual ever since.

Owners Gerry Harvey (left) and John Singleton are hoping their mare can overcome the “Libertini Curse” in The Everest.

A few years ago, Mario was helping his daughter move house when her TV screen was damaged in the process so he asked Harvey to help source a replacement.

After Mario provided his daughter’s name and address, Harvey called back almost immediately explaining that he had never really taken any notice of Mario’s surname then asked if he would mind naming a horse “Libertini”.

With his friend’s permission, Harvey used the name for a filly by champion sire I Am Invincible out of a Group 1-winning mare, Aloha.

When Libertini hit the racetrack, she showed such potential Harvey’s close friend, John Singleton, paid a cool $1 million for a half share.

But Libertini is now a five-year-old mare and has been restricted to just 14 starts due to injury and various issues. Harvey and Singleton blame the other for the tale of woe that has become the “Libertini curse”.

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Gerry Harvey (right) with his mare Libertini along with her namesake, his good friend Mario Libertini.

Like when Libertini made The Everest field last year after defeating Classique Legend in the Premiere Stakes. But her winning chances were dashed at the barrier draw when she drew the outside in gate 12.

“She may as well have stayed home that day,” said Singleton told The Daily Telegraph from Hawaii where he is on business and not due to return home until next month.

There’s Libertini’s year-younger half-sister, The Motley Fool (by Sebring) who showed considerable promise but only ever got to start in one race, finishing an unlucky second.

“The Motley Fool had all the ability in the world – but she wouldn’t go in the barriers,” Harvey said.

“We tried everything with her but nothing worked. So, we retired her and sent her to (super sire) Snitzel.

“I had a number of mares visit Snitzel and everything got in foal except one – The Motley Fool. She wouldn’t go in the barriers and now she won’t go into foal.”

And what about De An Andretti.

The filly is two years younger than full sister Libertini and blessed with similar natural talent.

Libertini (right) defeating Classique Legend in last year’s Premiere Stakes. Picture: Getty Images

De An Andretti won her debut race brilliantly and was sensationally backed to win her next start, the Group 2 Furious Stakes last month – the same race Libertini won two years ago.

But the curse struck again. De An Andretti ran well below her best, finishing second last. She was later found to have contracted a virus, but not just any virus.

“She had a superbug,” Harvey revealed.

“It nearly killed her but she is getting better now.

“We think she will recover and I’m hoping she can get back to the races in time.”

Then there’s Libertini’s mother, Aloha. Harvey has sent her back to champion sire I Am Invincible twice this spring – but both times she hasn’t got in foal.

Despite all these setbacks and frustrations, Singleton and Harvey don’t give up easily. They share in the ownership of Libertini’s full brother, a two-year-old colt both men believe could be the best out of the family.

“We ended up naming it Hawaii Five Oh,” Singleton said.

“I was a fan of the old TV show and I’m a fan of Hawaii. The horse is going really well.”

But Harvey is prepared for the worst: “Hawaii Five Oh hasn’t got a lot going for it in terms of luck,” he said.

“So far the Libertini Curse hasn’t come into play – but it’s still got time. It’s there, the colt is ready to be hit at any moment by the curse, it’s not immune.”

Libertini enjoying a swim on Wednesday morning in preparation for The Everest. Picture: David Swift

Harvey plans to be at Royal Randwick on Saturday for Libertini’s bid to win The Everest but Singleton will have to be content to watch from far away Hawaii.

“There are a few dubious laws I’m probably breaking but I can watch the race through my computer,” Singleton said.

“If I had a few more skills, I could probably put it through my TV.

“But Gerry is a terrible partner, I have no idea what’s going on with Libertini.

“I do know she will have to run 67 seconds to win which she can do if the track is dry. If it is wet then I’d say she is in trouble.”

Harvey couldn’t resist returning serve when told how Singleton would be watching The Everest.

“Singo probably bought that computer off Harvey Norman. He generally buys off us then rings me and complains about the product,” Harvey said.

“I wish he would buy somewhere else!

“I haven’t got any advice for Singo. When you give him advice, he does the opposite anyway.

“But I’ve just been talking to Mario Libertini and he is relying on the power of prayer now. It’s our best hope.”

Originally published as The Everest: Gerry Harvey and John Singleton believe a curse is haunting their mare Libertini