Work hard in attempt to make pot (6)
I believe the answer is:
trophy
'pot' is the definition.
(thesaurus)
'work hard in attempt' is the wordplay.
'work' becomes 'op' (common abbreviation for 'opus').
'hard' becomes 'h' (abbreviation used in pencil classifications).
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'attempt' becomes 'try' (synonyms).
'op'+'h'='oph'
'oph' inserted within 'try' is 'TROPHY'.
'to make' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for trophy that I've seen before include "Scalp - memento" , "Object awarded as token of victory" , "Memorial of victory" , "Memento of success" , "Winner's prize" .)