Getting the ride on a thoroughbred like Mighty Lucky is the easy part for Nathan Thomas.

The real challenge is making sure he stays on.

In his own words, Thomas is about as low-profile as it gets for a jockey in Sydney racing.

He books his own mounts and travels to meetings within a reasonable driving distance from his home on the NSW central coast, turning up at country tracks such as Scone and Taree.

But instead of trying to ride a bush or provincial winner on Saturday, Thomas will continue an association with Mighty Lucky in the $250,000 Villiers Stakes at Randwick.

It's a departure from a working schedule that is as welcome as it is unlikely for the 34-year-old who finished his apprenticeship in Sydney, made his way to Queensland and returned to NSW three years ago.

Mighty Lucky is rated a Villiers chance after winning the major lead-up race, the Festival Stakes at Rosehill.

And for Thomas, his appreciation for the opportunity given by Mighty Lucky's veteran trainer Fred Cowell and connections is obvious.

"He's been a great horse to me. It's not that hard to find horses like him but it's very hard to stick with them," Thomas said.

"I've probably found horses as good as him, maybe even better than him. You might win a race or two but once they go to town you usually get taken off for the town riders.

"But that hasn't happened in this case. I know that I've got full support and it takes the pressure off when you are riding him.

"You're not thinking I've got to ride good today so I can ride him next start."

In 35 of Mighty Lucky's starts, Thomas has been the rider 33 times.

It's a bond between horse and jockey that has served the wily horseman Cowell and his owners well with six wins and more than $450,000 in prize money.

"Fred knows taking me off for one of the town riders isn't going to improve the horse five lengths," Thomas said.

"I can ride him in work and in gallops and I can suggest things which is a bonus. You won't get that with the town riders.

"He's not a horse just anyone can ride. He's getting better with age, but early on you really needed someone who really knew the horse and I think that is half the reason I've been able to stay with him."