** Shares of Australian gold stocks .AXGD rise 1% to hit a fresh record high
** Sub-index up 5.1% so far this week, set for sixth straight weekly gain
** Gold prices were headed for a fourth consecutive weekly gain as fears of a weakening U.S. labour market eclipsed inflation concerns ahead of an expected Federal Reserve rate cut next week GOL/
** Sector major Northern Star Resources NST.AX gains 0.7% to A$21.03, its highest level since June 17
** Regis Resources RRL.AX rises 3.7% to A$5.65; among the top movers on the ASX 200 index .AXJO, which is up 0.8%
** AXGD up 73% YTD, outperforming 8.8% gain on the AXJO
(Reporting by Nikita Maria Jino in Bengaluru)
((Nikita.Jino@thomsonreuters.com;))