** Australian gold stocks .AXGD rose as much as 4.8% to their highest since May 12; last up 3.8%

** The sub-index is set for its strongest session since May 6

** Gold prices gained as investors sought out safe assets amid U.S. fiscal uncertainty GOL/

** Shares of West African Resources WAF.AX rose as much as 9.4%, marking four straight sessions of gains

** Evolution Mining EVN.AX, Bellevue Gold BGL.AX and Northern Star Resources NST.AX gain 2.7%-4.1%

** AXGD up 41.6% YTD vs ~3% gain in the broader benchmark index .AXJO>

(Reporting by Manasi Dasa in Bengaluru)

((Manasi.DasaSundeep@thomsonreuters.com;))