$1 million reward for info on killer

A $1 million reward has been offered for information leading to the killer of former horse trainer Les Samba.

The reward, put up by Victoria Police, comes as detectives investigate top racing identities over an alleged race-fixing rort.

Sixty-year-old Samba was gunned down in Beaconsfield Parade in the bayside Melbourne suburb of Middle Park on February 27, 2011.

Purana Task Force detectives believe his death was not a random shooting and are trying to find out why the South Australian father of two was in the Middle Park area when he was killed.

Police say Mr Samba left the Crown Metropol Hotel, where he was staying for the weekend, just after 9pm.

He was gunned down at 9.35pm by an unidentified gunman, who was last seen fleeing east along Langridge Street.

A spent cartridge shell was recovered in Beaconsfield Parade, but the weapon has never been found.

Purana Task Force Detective Senior Sergeant Stephen Cooper hopes the $1 million reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Mr Samba's killer will get a result.

"This investigation has taken detectives interstate, where a number of warrants have been executed. Police have also interviewed a number of people both here in Victoria and interstate but no charges have been laid," he said in a statement on Monday.

"It's been nearly 18 months now, and police would like to solve this murder and provide answers to Mr Samba's family, but we need help from the community."

The gunman is described as being aged in his mid 20s to 30s, of medium build, with light-coloured, untidy hair that was protruding from under a black hat.

The Department of Public Prosecutions will also consider granting immunity to anyone who provides a breakthrough in the case.

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