Crossword Genius

It's very slow doing a manicure in space (6,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

snails pace

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

'it's very slow doing a' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'manicure in space' is the wordplay.
'manicure' becomes 'snail' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'snail'+'space'='SNAILS PACE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for snails pace that I've seen before include "at a very low rate" , "Very slow speed" , "no rush" , "making slow progress" , "Slow rate of progress" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app