Crossword Genius

The circus pony, short of us, dashed with sparks and flashes (11)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pyrotechnic

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

'sparks and flashes' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'the circus pony short of us dashed' is the wordplay.
'short of' suggests deleting specific letters.
'dashed' is an anagram indicator.
'the'+'circus'+'pony'='thecircuspony'
'thecircuspony' with 'us' taken away is 'thecircpony'.
'thecircpony' anagrammed gives 'PYROTECHNIC'.

'with' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for pyrotechnic that I've seen before include "Brilliant" , "Of bangers and rockets" , "Relating to fireworks" .)

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