** Shares of Australian gold stocks .AXGD rise as much as 1.9%, their highest level since October 23

** The sub-index tracks upbeat bullion prices, which gained as the dollar softened on Friday GOL/

** Gold miner Evolution Mining EVN.AX rises 1.5% while Northern Star Resources NST.AX gains 1.2%

** AXGD up over 90% this year, including the day's move

(Reporting by Rajasik Mukherjee in Bengaluru)

((Rajasik.Mukherjee@thomsonreuters.com))