Crossword Genius

Tried for better position Scotsman was observing (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

jockeyed

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

'tried for better' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are past participle verbs, I cannot see how one could define the other.

'position scotsman was observing' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'scotsman' could be 'jock' and 'jock' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'eyed' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for jockeyed that I've seen before include "Manoeuvred for advantage" , "Struggled" , "getting noticed by radio presenter" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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