Works hard for top prizes, consuming… (5,5)

I believe the answer is:

takes pains

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

'top prizes consuming' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'works hard for' is the wordplay.
'works' becomes 'takes' (taking is a kind of working).
'hard for' becomes 'pains' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'takes'+'pains'='TAKES PAINS'

Can you help me to learn more?

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

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