Trained at Gunbower by Jim Lake, De Mars’ 107th and final race start was a winning one.

Keating guided the 10-year-old straight to the front and he was never headed, holding off Labetenoir by just less than one length.

The big crowd at Kerang gave De Mars and Keating a rousing reception when they returned to the mounting yard.

"It was an honour to ride such a great old war horse of the district in his final assignment, and am so pleased for the connections to be able to retire their charge to the paddock in winning fashion," Keating said.

"The especially touching aspect was the way the crowd embraced their favourite 'local' horse - the reception he received returning to the yard along the straight was easily as rousing as that given to any Flemington winner I've ridden."

De Mars, a son of Grass Wonder, amassed more than $250,000 in prizemoney in his 107 starts, with many runs at Kerang, including a Cup victory there in 2013.

He was victorious in Cup races at Mildura, Hanging Rock and Woodend, and in 2009 was nominated for Victorian Country Horse of the Year.

Keating also rode two placings at Kerang on Boxing Day.

Fellow Bendigo jockey Brad Rawiller celebrated city success on Boxing Day at Sandown.

Rawiller guided the Darren Weir-trained Tonopah to an impressive win in the Frank O’Brien Handicap (1600m).

It was the five-year-old’s first start for Weir, having been previously trained in New South Wales by Craig Ritchie.

It was Rawiller’s third city success in the space of seven days.

Meanwhile, Sutton Grange hobby trainer Paul Banks made a successful trip to Warrnambool on Sunday.

Banks prepared Kalkidan to break its maiden status in the opening event of the day.

The four-year-old was most impressive in leading all the way over 1100m.

The son of Danerich won eased up by the best part of two lengths in a time of 1:05.49.

A slow-maturing type, Kalkidan had finished in the top three at just one of its previous seven starts.

Well-supported in betting from $21 into $12, Kalkidan showed good speed from the gates and was ridden well in front by jockey Nikita Beriman.

Banks also saddled up Mr Cooley in the final event of the day at Warrnambool.

The consistent sprinter finished unplaced.

Monday’s racing action is at Yarra Valley.

In-form Bendigo trainer Danny Curran will be looking to continue his good recent run when he saddles up Le Bel Opera in race four and Dubai Opera in the last event.

Both horses will be ridden by Curran’s apprentice Carryn Downie.