Rhys McLeod will be looking for a home-track finish quite different to his infamous run a decade ago when he climbs aboard Ethiopia in Saturday’s Cox Plate.

It was at Moonee Valley in January, 2002, when McLeod misjudged the finish of a 3000m race by an entire lap.

McLeod survived the ridicule and a lengthy suspension to bounce back and goes into the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley a winner of the Group One Australian Derby at Randwick in April.

He will again be partnered with his Derby winner Ethiopia on Saturday among a high-class field and says he hopes for a vastly different result to his earlier debacle.

“That was silly but I learnt from it and I’ve moved on,” McLeod said.

“It would be quite a thrill (to win on Saturday), that would be quite something.

“This year I’ve actually worked my tail off and it’s good to get results.

“Hopefully I can get another one on Saturday. It would be something special. I’ve grown up in this area. I have my family and friends all around here.”

McLeod says he plans to allow Ethiopia to settle into the race.

“I’m going to ride my bloke like I always do, wherever he’s comfortable,” he said.

“As long as he’s got a clear run from the half-mile onwards he’s got a good chance.

“He’s come back this time in a much stronger, better horse. I think he’s in this race right up to his ears.”

The strongest threat, according to McLeod, will be the Turnbull Stakes winner Green Moon.

“It’s a very classy field. I really like Green Moon. He’s a strong stayer,” McLeod said.

“The three-year-olds, I like too. Two thousand metres is a bit of a question mark on them but if they can step up they’ll be hard to beat too.”