Crossword Genius

Top gear when going into a corner? (6,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

dunces cap

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

'a corner?' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'top gear when' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'top' could be 'cap' (both can mean to beat or outdo) and 'cap' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'dunces' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'going into' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for dunces cap that I've seen before include "Headgear used to humiliate slow learners" , "Ignorant boy's headgear" , "Classroom idiot's headgear" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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