but on screen evidence has the Galaxy class as an equal match to the Cardassian Galor,
Sure if equal match means would completely own in a fair fight I mean hell Jellico had to bring extra ones in his simulations just to have a fair fight apparently. Which in addition to Maxwell's rampage in the Phoenix is why pre-Dominion War I never thought the Cardassians were as much of a threat becuase Starfleet could totally kick their asses any day of the week. I mean we're talking about the people Picard had to rescue from getting their might warships asses handed to them by their Maquis in their dinky little fighters, and whose war with the federation seemed to be happening off screen during seasons 1 and 2 without anyone bothering to mention anything and the federation seemingly at peace.