After start of race queen is tender (5)
I believe the answer is:
offer
'is tender' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'after start of race queen' is the wordplay.
'after' says to put letters next to each other.
'start of race' becomes 'off' ().
'queen' becomes 'ER' (abbreviation for Elizabeth Regina).
'off' next to 'er' is 'OFFER'.
(Other definitions for offer that I've seen before include "Come up with" , "Propose; make available" , "Chance to buy at reduced price?" , "Submit" , "hand" .)