** Australian gold stocks .AXGD rise as much as 3% to a record high

** Sub-index adds 3.3% so far this week; set for fourth straight week of gains

** AXGD on track for biggest weekly pct rise since March 10

** Bullion logs a record high as investors seek the safe-haven asset following U.S. President Donald Trump's new auto tariffs GOL/

** Sector leaders Northern Star Resources NST.AX and Evolution Mining EVN.AX advance 3.5% and 2.7%, respectively

** Gold miners Spartan Resources SPR.AX, Ramelius Resources RMS.AX, De Grey Mining DEG.AX among top gainers on ASX 200 index .AXJO

** AXGD jumps 31.6% YTD

(Reporting by Nikita Maria Jino in Bengaluru)

((Nikita.Jino@thomsonreuters.com;))