Possible Clues:

• Audition, e.g.
• Go for the gold, e.g.
• Turn up with e.g. dog in race
• Try for a gold medal
• Come around, dear, and be a contestant
• Come around, my dear, and take part in this
• Get in the running
• 'Come around, dear, and contend (7)'
• Liberal stays out of entire conflict
• Turn up holding cat maybe for contest