Crossword Genius

Fighter spoiling a dog trial (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

gladiator

'fighter' is the definition.
(I know that gladiator is a type of fighter)

'spoiling a dog trial' is the wordplay.
'spoiling' is an anagram indicator.
'a'+'dog'+'trial'='adogtrial'
'adogtrial' with letters rearranged gives 'GLADIATOR'.

(Other definitions for gladiator that I've seen before include "Roman arena combatant" , "One trained to fight in Roman arenas" , "one entering the ring" , "Film" , "Gold tiara (anag.)" .)

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