Crossword Genius

Leading Australian picked up dismissing Republican (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ahead

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'leading australian picked up dismissing republican' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'leading australian picked up dismissing republican' is the wordplay.
'leading australian' becomes 'a' (I am not sure about the 'leading' bit.).
'picked up' becomes 'heard' ('hear' can be a synonym of 'pick up').
'dismissing' indicates named letters should be taken away.
'republican' becomes 'r' (abbreviation).
'heard' with 'r' taken out is 'head'.
'a'+'head'='AHEAD'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ahead that I've seen before include "What's down the road" , "Winning" , "advanced" , "in van" , "In the vanguard" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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