Crossword Genius

Bewilder Australian model in narrow sea channel (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

astound

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'bewilder' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'australian model in narrow sea channel' is the wordplay.
'australian' becomes 'A' (common abbreviation).
'model' becomes 't' (Ford Model T car).
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'narrow sea channel' becomes 'sound' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
't' put within 'sound' is 'stound'.
'a'+'stound'='ASTOUND'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for astound that I've seen before include "Startle" , "Bewilder" , "Flabbergast" , "Shock, surprise greatly" , "Bowl over" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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