Hawke’s Bay Recambering Project Update April 2026

Progress on the Hastings track recambering project has reached another key milestone, with a successful set of trials completed today.

A total of 11 trials were run on a surface rated a Soft 7, with the rail positioned out 5 metres. All trials were conducted safely, marking an important step forward in the Return to Racing process. 

Attendees on course, including senior riders, representatives from Hawke’s Bay Racing Inc., Racing Integrity Board and the New Zealand Racecourse Managers Association, all agree that the track performed as expected and is heading in the right direction. The next major step being a race meeting, scheduled for 21 May 2026, subject to ongoing track preparation and monitoring.

NZTR Head of Tracks and Infrastructure Tim Lambert commented on the track’s progress, “while there is still work to be done, today’s outcome provides strong confidence in the progress made to date and the path ahead.”