** Australian gold stocks .AXGD rise as much as 1% to hit a record high
** Bullion prices rose on Friday, drifting around its all-time high, with rising concerns over the economic impact of a prolonged U.S. government shutdown and expectations of interest rate-cut bets GOL/
** Evolution Mining EVN.AX rises 1.7%, while top independent bullion producer Northern Star Resources NST.AX and Ramelius Resources RMS.AX gain 0.9% and 0.5%, respectively
** AXGD has nearly doubled in value so far this year
(Reporting by Keshav Singh Chundawat in Bengaluru)
((Keshav.singhchundawat@thomsonreuters.com))