Crossword Genius

Age ponies developed intelligence (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

espionage

'intelligence' is the definition.
(espionage is a kind of intelligence)

'age ponies developed' is the wordplay.
'developed' is an anagram indicator.
'age'+'ponies'='ageponies'
'ageponies' with letters rearranged gives 'ESPIONAGE'.

(Other definitions for espionage that I've seen before include "007's game" , "agent's job" , "Practice of spying" , "undercover work" , "hush-hush work" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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