So we have a job where we can start parameterized task on a particular machine before we commit work to source control. We only have once machine for this so we are often waiting for another test run to finish.

Since we know what the id of the new task is you can navigate to that page for example:

http://hudson.uk.oracle.com:8080/job/WebServiceTests_TestTrans/446/

But you get a 404 error until such time the build starts. Instead there should be a place holder page here that updates when the build starts. Ideally with a cancel button somewhere on the screen.