Smoother ruby flogged (8)

I believe the answer is:

lathered

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'flogged' is the definition.
('lather' can be a synonym of 'flog')

'smoother ruby' is the wordplay.
'smoother' becomes 'lathe' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'ruby' becomes 'red' (synonyms).
'lathe'+'red'='LATHERED'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for lathered that I've seen before include "Soaped as for shaving" , "Created a froth" , "flogged" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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